Hardware Assets
be used to track troop movement and data into various analog and digital ports even assist in battle management. of the controller and ensure that rounds One example of a low-end sensor are quickly and accurately handled. They application is a weapons platform auto- also ensure that rounds are properly and loader. This platform subsystem con- safely loaded into the breech or handled troller employs mechanical or Hall-ef- quickly, efficiently and safely during fect limit switches, absolute and relative round replenishing. The controller can position rotary encoders, angular and also store rounds in canisters and use linear displacement and pressure trans- RFIDs to ensure that rounds are properly ducers. These discrete sensors feed their1:01manifested, 97703.2pisl4c.Systems_v2 1/26/05 PM Page 1 tracked and inventoried.
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[ 24 ] COTS Journal November 2005
Wireless, intelligent, acoustic sensors can be dropped or deployed into an area of interest. Onboard DSP processors can continuously monitor the area, checking for language dialects of conversations, engine noise from specific vehicle types, troop movements and small arms fire. The processors can transmit an encrypted warning and position to “blue” forces only when such specific acoustic signatures are recognized. The flight computer of a fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is another application that can use simple actuators and discrete sensors to control the vehicle’s takeoff, flight path, enemy engagement and landing (Figure 3). As the mission computers and sensor suites on these vehicles become more capable, their missions can become more complex and far ranging by providing greater levels of usable intelligence. They can even be used to engage enemy positions and be equipped with onboard, self-deployed threat countermeasures (Figure 4). By incorporating additional processing and data sharing capabilities, sensors are adapting to meet the growing demands of military data acquisition applications. Both the more complex environments, and those that do not require intricate levels of data processing, are benefiting from these advancements in sensor technology. Aitech Defense Systems Chatsworth, CA. (888) 248-3248. [www.rugged.com].