Elbit Systems' Unattended Treasures Sensor Network (above)
This vehicle and people detector Sand (below) from Elbit Systems is distinguished by good sensitivity.
One of the main reasons for the introduction of automatic ground sensor technology is that no detector, be it acoustic, optoelectronic, magnetic, seismic, infrared or radar, can provide full coverage of all targets at all distances. Instead, the user needs to take a layered approach, that is, the simultaneous deployment of several different types of fully interconnected sensors in order to obtain as much information as possible from the monitored scene
Automatic ground sensors can perform many tasks and even in some cases replace an anti-personnel mine acting as a signaling device. However, as already noted in the introduction, there is no panacea for all drugs, a seismic sensor created to detect the approach of a tank at long distances is not suitable for determining the approach of a pedestrian.
For consumers looking for optoelectronic and infrared sensors, Northrop Grumman offers the Scorpion Automatic Target Recognition System. The Scorpion consists of optoelectronic and infrared sensors that can identify and classify vehicles up to 100 meters and a person up to 30 meters. The Scorpion has a false alarm rate of approximately five percent, and its combination of low power consumption and long battery life allows it to operate for six months.
To simplify operation, an intuitive graphical interface can be used for scheduling tasks and monitoring sensors. In March 2008, Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract to supply additional Scorpion systems to the US Army in addition to the previous contract, under which the company supplied 600 systems.
For the V-520 thermal imaging camera, Critical Imaging supplies automatic optoelectronic sensors; The camera operates in a temperature range from -25 ° C to - + 60 ° C, has a spectral range of 8-12 microns and is waterproof up to two meters. The user can view the image from the V-520 camera on a computer running Windows based software.
Flux Data also supplies automatic image sensors in the form of the UGS-X1 Ground Image Sensor. The UGS-X1 has a daytime camera and a near infrared camera for day and night operation and can be connected to other acoustic, seismic and magnetic sensors, as well as to the user's communication systems, which serve as the basis of its sensor network.
Additional imaging solutions are provided by the Israeli company Seraphim Optronics, which supplies Mugi (Mini Unattended Ground Imager) with infrared (IR) and conventional optoelectronic (EO) sensors. Mugi can detect a person at a distance of 2.5 km with a conventional camera or 1.2 km with a thermal imaging camera.
The camera is accompanied by an operator unit, which consists of a hardened tablet computer weighing about five kg and a hand-held device weighing three kg. Power consumption The Mugi can operate for up to 12 days with a rechargeable battery pack or up to 80 days with non-rechargeable batteries, while providing line-of-sight transmission up to 20 km.
McQ's iscout system includes thermal and magnetic detectors plus laptop display output. Sensors installed for up to 14 days are connected to a repeater, which in turn is connected to a laptop
Northrop Grumman's Scorpion Automatic Ground Sensor combines OE and IR sensors. Battery charge lasts up to 6 months; the sensor is currently in service with the US army
Hirsa (High Resolution Situational Awareness) software from 21 CSI integrates a wide variety of sensor systems together to manage a complex network from a single location. In addition, Hirsa can be used as a planning tool for optimal placement of sensor equipment.
Sound
Along with special optoelectronic systems, geophones and acoustic sensors play a role in monitoring the environment. Frontline Defense Systems' Dragon Sense automatic ground-based miniature sensor consists of a seismic receiver and a microphone to identify and classify people, vehicles, low-flying aircraft and excavation operations.
These sensors are connected in a self-healing wireless mesh network; each sensor can detect and classify people at a distance of more than 50 meters. It can also distinguish between an individual or a group of people, wheeled vehicles at a range of 200 meters and tracked vehicles at a range of over 800 meters.
Each sensor weighs about 700 grams and operates at different radio frequencies. In addition to its seismic and acoustic capabilities, Dragon Sense also integrates passive infrared, magnetic sensors and cameras into its mesh network.
Optoelectronic and seismic sensors, together with magnetic and thermal detectors, are combined into the iscout system from McQ. The complete reconnaissance system includes a tactical mobile display of a laptop plus the reconnaissance sensors themselves, a repeater connected to the server, as well as a mobile display and a wireless repeater that allows data collected by the sensors to be transmitted to a hand-held mobile display. The power consumption of these sensors allows them to be deployed for up to 14 days, although when connected to external power sources this period increases to a year.
Elbit Systems manufactures Sand (Smart All-Terrain Networked Detector), which, according to the firm, can detect the movement of vehicles and people on any terrain. These sensors (see first photo) can be connected to a wireless network and used in a wide variety of applications, such as perimeter security and for recognition on the battlefield. In terms of placement, the sensors can be placed either directly on the ground or buried at a shallow depth. Various models are offered with a service life of five to ten years.
With a recognition distance of a person up to 100 meters and vehicles up to 500 meters, the EL / I-6001 optoelectronic sensors can complement the seismic and acoustic sensors of the system, deployed using mortars and operating for up to 30 days from their own power source. In addition to acoustic, seismic and optoelectronic sensors, the Elta EL / I-6001 ground-based sensor network may include a miniature solar-powered EL / M-2107 radar from the same company, which can detect people at a distance of 300 meters
Mixed feelings
Radar is attached to two automatic detection tools, seismic and acoustic sensors. It is impossible in one article to describe in detail the myriad radar systems designed to conduct surveillance on the ground and in the air or determine the location of artillery. Even so, Raytheon BBN Technologies' compact radar sensor system is worth considering. Weighing less than two pounds and physically slightly larger than a beverage can, the system can track people and vehicles, and can be coupled to an optoelectronic system that will send signals to a target detected by radar. In turn, the radar can be connected to long-range satellite communications to transmit data to other users.
The advantages of technological miniaturization made it possible to combine several sensors into a single set. This concept is used in the Umra 1G ID, Umra 1G CL and Umra Mini multisensor products offered by the Swedish company Exensor. The Umra 1G ID sensor unit includes two probes with five sensors, including one acoustic, one seismic sensor plus three magnetic sensors. The information collected by these sensors is transmitted via a radio relay link to a base station consisting of a laptop and a radio receiver running under the Umra specialized software.
Using the base station, the operator can see and analyze the information received from the sensors. The software also includes vehicle templates so that the operator can determine the type of vehicle that is maneuvering close to the sensor, as well as its speed and direction. The sensors can detect people at 15 meters, and vehicle detection is possible at a distance of 200 meters.
Meanwhile, Exensor's Umra 1G automatic ground sensor can detect various types of vehicles, including motorcycles, light trucks and bicycles, as well as tanks and armored vehicles. This sensor has a line-of-sight range of up to 15 km and an RF channel of 138-144 MHz.
The system of remotely controlled ground sensors Rembass-ll (Remotely Monitored Battlefield Sensor System-II) from the L-3 company is in service with the American army. It can detect people at a distance of 75 meters and tracked vehicles up to 350 meters using the Mk-2965 / GSR seismic and acoustic sensor
The Umra Mini sensor has a seismic receiver and microphone for detecting and classifying various targets, including personnel at a distance of 50 meters and heavy vehicles up to 500 meters. These sensors can be combined into a self-healing wireless mesh network. Exensor also provides a "toolkit" that connects these sensors to an advanced low-power mesh network.
Users of automatic ground sensors face the daunting task of connecting and controlling the myriad of radar, acoustic, optoelectronic, seismic and magnetic sensors that form their ground surveillance system.
One of the solutions to this problem is the use of Hirsa (High Resolution Situational Awareness) software from 21CSI. Hirsa software can be loaded onto a laptop or desktop PC, it provides the operator with a map of the location of the sensors and displays the information collected by them on the screen. Hirsa is a "sensor-independent" system and, according to company officials, it works with "all sensors and platforms."
The software also allows the user to plan sensor placement using a map of the exact coverage areas of each sensor based on the terrain.
The appeal of Hirsa lies in the fact that this software is scalable and can serve not only equipment for the protection of one building, but also complex complexes of sensors designed to protect borders. The planning functions of Hirsa are improved due to the fact that the system constantly monitors the state of the sensors, it gives the operator an alarm when the sensor detects an event of interest.
In fact, Hirsa can be configured so that certain day-to-day (routine) events are not a cause for concern, such as identifying a car slowly approaching a building's entrance gate. However, the Hirsa software will alert the operator, for example, when approaching the same car gate at high speed with the likely intent to break through.
The Israeli company IAI Elta Systems has developed original ground sensors that can be installed by firing a mortar. They are part of the EL / I-6001 automatic ground sensor network of this company.
Acoustic and seismic sensors for artillery delivery can work without an external power source for up to 30 days, detect moving people at a distance of 30-50 meters and vehicles up to 500 meters. The EL / I-6001 system can be supplemented with an automatic optoelectronic sensor that detects vehicles at a distance of over 500 meters and people over 100 meters, as well as an optional miniature solar-powered EL / M-2107 radar with a vehicle detection range and people 300 meters.
All of these sensors can be controlled from the appropriate command and control center EL / I-6001, which includes a control computer, human-machine interface, modem and transceiver for the automatic ground sensor network.
Trident Systems integrates multiple sensors in its ground intelligence sensor node, consisting of acoustic, optoelectronic, infrared, seismic and magnetic detectors. Built into an innovative broadband communications network with low interception and detection rates, these battery-powered sensors weigh only 1.3 kg; they can transmit data within the line of sight and depending on the terrain at a distance of 200 meters.
The data transfer rate of this communication channel is up to 5 Mb / s in the standard mode and up to 1 Mb / s in the reduced power consumption mode. Working temperatures from -30 ° C to + 60 ° C, battery charge lasts for 15 days.
Meanwhile, Trident's automatic sensor nodes are equipped with IR motion sensors and built-in GPS. Weighing a little over half a kilogram, these sensors remain operational for up to 90 days, transmitting data at a standard speed of 50 Kbps, although a maximum speed of 250 Kbps is possible. Depending on the terrain, the wireless transmission range of these sensors is up to 300 meters.
While Trident Systems supplies the consumer with air and ground threat detection systems, Textron Defense Systems manufactures products that can be used both in the field and in urban environments.
The information gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance module of this company can identify people, aircraft and vehicles, classify these targets and provide information about their location. The information collected by him is transmitted to the gateway node, which combines data from the sensors and transmits general information over a long-distance communication channel to other users.
In addition to the information collection, surveillance and reconnaissance module, users can integrate the OE / IR module to collect daytime and nighttime images. The data enters the gateway module along with data from the radiological node, which detects and reports gamma radiation and its power.
The US Army has deployed about 1,800 L-3 early warning systems, also known as Bais (Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System). Troops hope to get around 8,200 of these small unit zone defense systems.
Textron's intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance module can collect information about air, ground and personnel and transmit it to the operator through the gateway node
The Enhanced Mini Intrusion Detection System Emids is one of three products Qual-Tron supplies as an easily deployable automatic ground sensor. Emids also operates on three frequency bands with up to 1920 channels
Selex Galileo's Vantage software provides conventional and 3D mapping. It is invaluable in determining the placement of automatic sensors and monitoring them. Vantage is a key part of the Hydra system of the same company.
Selex Galileo's Hydra automatic ground sensor incorporates acoustic sensors (pictured) along with cameras and toxic detectors such as the Nexsense-C chemical detector
Textron emphasizes the excellent scalability of its products, which can be used to protect anything from convoys of trucks on the move to fixed operating bases. The company's sensors are designed for simplicity and ease of use, so they can be quickly deployed by infantrymen for relatively short operations or installed for a long time for long-term tasks.
An example of the above capabilities is the company's Microobserver product line, which consists of a Microobserver MO-1045 node and batteries that last up to 24 days, and a Microobserver MO-2730 node that can stay in one place without service for up to two years.
The US Army is currently using the L-3's Remotely Monitored Battlefield Sensor System-II (Rembass-II). The Rembass-II includes a seismic and acoustic sensor Mk-2965 / GSR, which can detect tracked vehicles up to 350 meters, wheeled vehicles up to 250 meters and people up to 75 meters. The Mk-2965 / GSR can, in turn, accept the Mk-2967 interchangeable IR module, which detects tracked and wheeled vehicles at a distance of up to 50 meters and people up to 20 meters; while the Mk-2966 / GSR, also easily integrated into the Mk-2965 / GSR, provides magnetic detection of tracked vehicles at a distance of 25 meters, wheeled vehicles at 15 meters, and people at 3 meters.
All these sensors are connected to the AN / PSQ-16 handheld radio receiving station, which in turn is connected to a laptop so that the user can see the information collected by the sensors. Also included in the Rembass-II kit is the RT-1175C / GSQ radio repeater, which extends the sensor's range by overcoming line-of-sight limitations.
The sensors themselves have a transmission range of up to 15 km, although it can be increased to 150 km by using the UAV as a repeater, or up to global ranges when using the Rembass-II processor unit of a satellite communication repeater.
In October 2010, L-3 was awarded a contract to supply the US Army with the Bais (Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System) early warning system. To date, the US Army has deployed about 1,800 of these systems that can be used by small units. Ultimately, the troops will receive about 8200 systems.
Qual-Tron's Enhanced Mini Intrusion Detection System (Emids) is an easy-to-install device consisting of 13D0219 MMCT Transmitter, 13D0243 MSRY Repeater and 13D0209 MMCR Receiver. Emids has a built-in fault diagnosis system; The device uses a synthesized multichannel communication system with various frequency ranges of 138-153 MHz, 154-162 MHz or 162-174 MHz.
Qual-Tron's Mini-Intrusion Detection System uses a single fixed frequency; It includes an MXMT 13D0159 transmitter, an MRLY 13D0126 repeater and an MPDM 13D0109-1 receiver.
Finally, a modified mini early warning system Mmids (Mini Intrusion Detection System-Modified) from the same company operates at a single fixed frequency of 138-174 MHz and consists of an MXMT (M) 13D0269 transmitter, an MPDM (M) 13D0370 receiver and a seismic sensor and transmitting device MSID (M) 123D0368. Transmitters in the Emids, Mids and Mmids systems can be connected to passive infrared, magnetic, seismic and acoustic sensors. When the sensors are activated, they in turn activate the transmitter, which immediately sends a radio signal to the receiving device.
Several of the companies discussed in this article have been making automatic ground sensors for quite some time. Selex Galileo, for example, showed its Halo (Hostile Artillery Locating System) in the mid-90s. Since then, this product has been joined by the flagship product Hydra, which Selex Galileo describes as a “reservoir” of sensory capabilities. At the heart of Hydra is its Vantage software, which can run on everything from handheld devices to large server-based networks.
The software remembers the position of each node and each sensor, either on a map or in aerial photographs. In addition, Vantage's capabilities include 3D mapping, which allows the user to determine if buildings or terrain are interfering with the sensors being deployed. The Vantage software, in turn, is directly connected to the Hydra node.
The Hydra node provides a link between sensors and Vantage software and details the location of these sensors. The node can also perform a reasonable amount of data processing using complex algorithms, allowing targets to be identified and classified, such as vehicles.
The sensors used in the Hydra system are either provided by the company itself, such as the Selex Galileo Nexsense-C chemical sensor, or are sourced from third parties. The company specifically notes that the Hydra system is truly "sensor independent". Vantage software can also transmit the collected information to other users via VHF channel, microwave channel or satellite channel.
Selex Galileo sees real growth potential in the Hydra family and is currently in its final phase of expansion to develop small, lightweight, but powerful throw-and-go sensors that could easily be deployed by dismounted forces. These sensors will be able to communicate with the Hydra node, and from there, respectively, with the Vantage software.
The company is also considering integrating Hydra with unmanned ground vehicles and UAVs. This would allow one of the Hydra sensors to alert either of these platforms to a target of interest that could then be surveyed.
In recent years, the physical dimensions of ground-based sensors have significantly decreased, while their functionality has increased dramatically. To a large extent, this was facilitated by the miniaturization process, which made it possible to place radiological, biological and chemical sensors in small and unobtrusive blocks. Likewise, the battery life is gradually extended, allowing the sensors to operate for longer and longer periods.
Currently, many of these systems are controlled using a laptop or desktop PC. However, in the coming years, sensors and the information they collect will increasingly be managed by handheld devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) or smartphones. Perhaps in the near future, software will become available to control these sensors in the form of downloadable applications for smartphones or PDAs, which become the usual means of equipping combat units.
