Self Powered Ad-Hoc Networks (SPAN)Perpetually Powered Unattended Ground Sensors

Self Powered Ad-Hoc Networks (SPAN)Perpetually Powered Unattended Ground Sensors

Lockheed MartinInformation Systems & Global SolutionsLawrence DelpP.O. Box 8048Philadelphia, PA 19101610-531-1695www.lockheedmartin.com

Lockheed Martin has developed a perpetually powered, mesh sensor networking and data exfiltration system known as SPAN (Self Powered Ad-Hoc Networks) to advance the area of Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Exploitation and Intrusion Detection. SPAN is designed for users who require quick deployment, low probability of intercept (LPI), and reliable and persistent surveillance. SPAN provides wireless sensor detection ranges of tens of meters and communication ranges of hundreds of meters. The system implements recent advances in micro energy storage and energy harvesting technologies to eliminate existing power issues, while drastically reducing node size and weight (sensor nodes on the order of 2-3 cubic inches and 6-8 ounces).

The key discriminators and advantages of the SPAN system when compared to existing UGS systems can be described in the following domains: size and weight, power, sensor networking, data exfiltration, and system usability. The Lockheed Martin approach has focused on advancing the UGS system in each of these areas to create an overall design that is more flexible, beneficial, and reliable to the user.

By incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, the SPAN system consists of palm-sized, lightweight sensor nodes. SPAN nodes have been disguised as natural features, such as rocks, to address the covert nature of deployments by users. The robust packaging allows the SPAN sensors to withstand heat, water and other harsh environmental conditions. The covert packaging design was developed along with the various other power and exfil methods that ultimately factor into a system with very low LPI/LPD.

The SPAN sensor nodes use thin-film energy storage cells coupled with solar and thermal energy harvesting devices to provide truly perpetual power. Intelligent mesh networking management techniques lower power consumption by minimizing wireless communications and distributing data processing. SPAN uses dynamic reconfiguration of wireless communication pathways to reduce data re-transmission rates and save power. Real-time power monitoring and adaptive duty cycling enable optimal energy budgeting. These advances in energy management will enable troops to infiltrate areas with a covert, low-maintenance sensor net, capable of persistent surveillance and alert reporting.

The SPAN system leverages a mesh networking approach that enables sensor nodes to join and leave the network in an ad-hoc fashion. All network configuration is automatically handled by gateway nodes. The network protocol has been tested and proven to allow for scalability to hundreds of nodes to address various deployment needs. This network of sensors approach allows the SPAN system to take advantage of multi-sensor data fusion and sensor queuing to balance probability of detection and low probability of false alarms. Transmitted alert data from all of the sensor mesh nodes is then processed by fusion and correlation algorithms on the gateway nodes. The output alerts from the gateway nodes are used to alert the end user to intrusions, perimeter breaches, and characterize enemy movements.

The SPAN system was designed with efficiency and ease of use as primary objectives. The domains discussed thus far including power, networking and data exfil were all developed around the central objective of creating a system that is quickly deployable and efficiently usable by the end user. The end user interacts with the system via a handheld application which was developed to provide seamless portability between the various handheld manufacturers. Features include map displays, state of health displays, sensor alert displays, query capabilities, sensor processing parameter configuration, and platform GPS integration.

Overview

Technical & Operational Approach

Size & Weight

Power

Network and Data Exfiltration

System Usability

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