Self Powered Ad-Hoc Networks (SPAN)
Perpetually Powered Unattended Ground Sensors
Self Powered Ad-Hoc Networks (SPAN)
Perpetually Powered Unattended Ground Sensors
Overview
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).
Technical & Operational Approach
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.
Size & Weight
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.
Power
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.
Network and Data Exfiltration
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.
System Usability
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.
© 2010 Lockheed Martin. All Rights Reserved.
Lockheed Martin
Information Systems & Global Solutions
Lawrence Delp
P.O. Box 8048
Philadelphia, PA 19101
610-531-1695
www.lockheedmartin.com