Ground Sensor System to Link with UAVS

Ground Sensor System to Link with UAVS

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A wireless ground sensor network by Lockheed Martin will soon possess the capability of integration with unmanned aerial vehicles.

SPAN sensor node. Photo: Lockheed Martin
SPAN sensor node. Photo: Lockheed Martin

According to UPI, the ground sensor system is SPAN, or Self-Powered Ad-hoc Network. It is incorporated with small devices that harvest energy from its surrounding environment, re-charging itself and only transmitting when there is a sensor reading to be concerned about.

“SPAN is essentially a network of unobtrusive sensor nodes small enough to fit into the palm of your hand,” said Macy W. Summers, Vice President with Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions. “Linking SPAN sensors with UAVs provides a cost-effective solution that can support many types of missions, including force protection, border surveillance and regulatory and treaty compliance.”

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

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Lockheed said combining SPAN with UAVs lowers the cost of monitoring a specific area since the SPAN networks automatically prompt UAV sensors. “Each node, once placed on or in the ground in a mesh arrangement, transmits relevant data to the next node, and so on, until the information is ultimately forwarded to a wide area communications link,” Lockheed said. “During a UAV mission, the ground network automatically prompts the UAV’s high precision sensors to further characterize the alert without the need for a remote analyst.”

“This linked solution enables UAV operators to focus on identified threats instead of loitering or flying pre-set mission profiles waiting for potential threats.”