| ABRD; Aerial Battlefield Reconnaissance Drone | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 29 2011, 06:18 AM (444 Views) | |
| Kudaria | Sep 29 2011, 06:18 AM Post #1 |
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Councillor
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![]() ![]() Name: Aerial Battlefield Reconnaissance Drone Designation: ABRD Manufacturer: Lussoa Enterprises (Limited to Official Governmental Purchasers and various Private Contracts) Design Team: Lussoa Enterprises New Products Research Laboratory, Thessia; Lead Researcher Dr. Dalhya T'Rea, Ph.D Electronic Engineering and Materials Science Cost: 10000 cr Operator: Requires a ground operator or it can be set to a pre-designated surveillance pattern over a set area. Multiple drones can also be controlled by a designated master drone which resides at a higher altitude. Year Built: 2189 Classification: Surveillance and Electronic Warfare Drone General Advantages: Due to the use of lightweight materials and miniaturized parts throughout its construction, the ABRD is rather small, measuring 75mm x32mm x 24mm and weighing only 167 grams. Lack of any significant emissions, except for the minimal energy signature created by the holographic projector and transmission and receiving module, means that the ABRD is very difficult to detect electronically. Current technology, even when the drones location is known and detection conditions are perfect (laboratory conditions), cannot detect the ABRD's at distances further than 100 meters. The ABRD utilizes camouflaging techniques such as semi-reflective coating and the ability of it's holographic projector to produce solid light in a visual range matching the sky above it to allow the drone to blend in it its environment. Utilizing these camouflaging techniques adds minimal weight to the drone and no power signature beyond that normally created by the holographic projector. General Disadvantages: The ABRD has neither defensive capabilities nor any significant armoring besides the minimum shielding required to protect the internal parts from environmental interference of its electronics. The ABRD's maneuvering abilities are highly dependent upon atmospheric conditions such as winds and areas of thermal lift to loft the drone into the air. The ABRD cannot be deployed during times of medium to heavy rain or in environmental conditions where there is neither wind nor thermal lift to loft the drone. The ABRD possesses no tactical cloaking abilities, relying on camouflage technologies alone. This means that the closer the drone is to a ground observer the more likely it is to be visually detected. NOTE: Module specific advantages and disadvantages are notated within applicable module sections. General Description: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAV have been in use by the various militaries of the galaxy for centuries or in the case of the asari for millennium. Even among the humans, one of the newest races to Citadel space, UAV's have been in use since the 1990’s. The latest iteration of the unmanned aerial reconnaissance drone, the ABRD, makes use of the ability of holographic projectors to make solid light planes (flat surfaces) employing them to create a surface upon which lift can be created by either wind or thermals for flight in a fashion similar to a kite or to an unpowered glider. The use of semi-reflective coating on the exterior of the drone allows it to reflect the color of its surroundings without appearing mirror-like. This coating is not meant to act like a tactical cloaking shield, but as more of a camouflage coating, allowing the drone to blend into the sky so that it is less likely to be seen from below. This coating also has the added benefit of adding minimal weight to the drone and, as it is a passive and unpowered camouflage, generating no signature. In addition to the semi-reflective coating, the ABRD's sensor module forwards spectral data detailing the color of the sky above to the holographic projector so that the solid light planes it creates, which are difficult to visually detect as they extremely thin and appear as a translucent membrane to the naked eye, match the primary spectral frequency of the sky above the drone rendering the holographic 'kite' around the ABRD even more difficult to detect visually. These camouflaging techniques as well as the altitude at which the ABRD's generally operate render the drone essentially invisible unless a ground observer uses visual magnification and knows where the drone is located, even then it may be difficult to detect depending upon altitude given it's small size. Main Computer Microframe Module The main computer microframe computer is the central processing unit of the ABRD. Multiple programming processes run simultaneously controlling the drones primary operations and both receiving and sending program process results and control data between the various modules. One of the programing processes contained within the main computer microframe module makes minute adjustments to the solid light planes the holographic projector is producing to allow for remote guidance as well as maximizing the drones stability and ability to stay aloft with changing wind and lift conditions. The main computer microframe includes a flashable optical data chip which allows the operator to input specific atmospheric data for the specific planet and locale where the drone will be operating. Using that information, as well as real-time meteorological data gathered from the sensor module, the climate modeling program contained in the main computer microframe creates a predictive meteorological data map of its current location and uses the information from this predictive model to both forecast its future position data as well as optimize it's planned flight pattern and the positioning of the drone's holographic solid light planes. Holographic Projector Module The holographic projector module produces very thin layers of solid light planes, which look like a translucent holographic membrane, in various shapes and configurations around the ABRD. These light planes create a surface upon which lift can be created by either wind or thermals for flight in a fashion similar to a kite or to an unpowered glider. The holographic projector is capable of producing several different 'wing' configurations: The Box or Cellular configuration for maximum lift and altitude while maintaining a minimal profile. The Delta wing configuration, which is most similar to an unpowered glider. The Japanese Rokkaku configuration which is a vertically-stretched hexagon, this design is stable and rises rapidly. The Tetrahedral configuration which is composed of tetrahedrally shaped cells. The cells are arranged in such a way that the entire flight surface is also a regular tetrahedron. This configuration is very stable and flies well in moderate to heavy winds. Imaging Module The imaging module includes a miniaturized camera with x10 zoom capability. The imaging module's low light imaging array combines data from infrared, thermal imaging and image intensification (which magnifies the amount of received photons from natural light sources such as starlight or moonlight) to produce excellent low light imaging which includes the ability to selectively view only the infrared or thermal data. The imaging module's video signal is then sent either directly back to the ground base or to the master drone which then relays it to the ground base. Communications Module The communications module contains an optical frequency receiver/transmitter. Optical frequency signals are also point-to-point communications pathways requiring the drone to be within the pathway to intercept the signal. The communication's module also contains a radio frequency receiver/transmitter that covers frequencies ranging from 0 - 300 GHz. This allows the drone to intercept and decode radio frequencies. Note that SHF(super high frequency or microwave frequencies) and EHF(extremely high frequency or millimeter wave band) are both point-to-point communications pathways requiring the drone to be within the pathway to intercept the signal. Communications with a Stationary Ground Base: For secure communications with a stationary ground base the ABRD utilizes its optical receiver/transmitter to emit a very narrowly focused beam of energy in a point-to-point, direct line of sight communications line. In order to achieve this, both ends of the point-to-point communications line must know each others position and must not have any obstacles between them. That means that either the ABRD must have the location of the master drone which is accurate up to the millisecond or the location of a stationary ground base or that the master drone or stationary ground base must know its location. Whether employing a master drone or a stationary ground base, signals are transmitted between the drone and its primary control location with new and estimated location data each millisecond to maintain free-space optical communications. If the location of the stationary ground base/control drone is not known or if the ABRD looses contact with the stationary ground base/control drone for any reason and cannot reestablish free-space optical communications within 1000 milliseconds then the ABRD will transmit its location in an encrypted data burst employing a vhf transmission. Interception of a free-space optical signal is impossible unless an optical receiver/transmitter is placed such that it is within the precise pathway of the optical signal, however, as that is indeed a possibility given that the ABRD can perform such a function, all data signals are encrypted using the latest encryption methods. Communications with a Mobile Ground Base: For communications with a mobile ground base the ABRD utilizes its radio frequency receiver/transmitter to broadcast within the VHF (30 MHz to 300 MHz) range. VHF is preferred due to it's suitability for short range terrestrial communications, with a range that extends to line of sight from the transceiver. VHF is relatively unaffected by atmospheric noise and interference from electronic equipment, and while it can be blocked by substantial land features such as mountains it is less affected by buildings and other less substantial objects. VHF is not a point to point communications method and can easily be intercepted, for security all data is encrypted using the latest encryption methods. Communications Specifications: FSO (Free-space Optical) Communications: Transmission Distance: Atmospheric and fog attenuation, which are exponential in nature, limit practical range of FSO devices to several kilometers depended upon environmental conditions. Advantages: High data rates, low error rates, immunity to electromagnetic interference, very secure due to the high directionality and narrowness of the beam, optical frequency used does not fall within the visible range of any species. Disadvantages: Atmospheric absorption of the signal by Rain, Snow, Fog or Atmospheric Pollution; if the sun goes exactly behind the transmitter, it can swamp the signal. Free-space optical communications are direct line of sight point-to-point communications, there cannot be any obstructions between the ABRD and the stationary ground base/control drone. VHF (Variable High Frequency) communications: Transmission Distance: Line of sight which is a function of the height of the transmitter. Advantages: Relatively unaffected by atmospheric noise and interference from electronic equipment, is not blocked by objected such as buildings. Disadvantages: Not a point to point communications method and can easily be intercepted, can be blocked by substantial land masses such as mountains. Electronics Warfare Module The Electronics Warfare Module allows the drone to act as an aerial communications relay to intercept, decode and retransmit radio frequency, microwave frequency (provided it is within the microwave communications pathway as this is a point-to-point communications method), and optical frequency signals (provided it is within the free-space optical communications pathway as this is a point-to-point communications method) in real time once the encryption used within the signal is known. The Electronics Warfare module also allows the drone to perform many of the electronic warfare capabilities as a military omni-tool to include limited jamming capabilities, overloading electronics, sabotaging electronics and biotic amplifier dampening. Range of such capabilities is the same as an omni-tool meaning that the drone must be within ten meters and have line-of-sight to the target. WARNING: As the ABRD's mobility is rather limited, this usage is recommended only with extreme care and due consideration as the drone is likely to be noticed at a range of 10 meters. Sensor Analysis Module The sensor analysis module includes a complete weather and environmental monitoring system which includes a sensitive radiation sensor. The sensor analysis module analyzes data from the imaging module and provides both normal light and low light motion detection alerting to the operator. The sensor analysis module in conjunction with the main computer microframe, assists in the analysis of data from both the communications and electronic warfare modules. One of the critical pieces of data it calculates is distance to object information. Power Source and Recharge Capabilities The ABRD is powered by a removable and rechargeable lightweight battery. Each battery provides for 12 hours of continuous usage before needing recharging. Average charging time using the included recharging station is 30 minues. ABRD battery recharging station is powered off flexible solar panels (which can be folded for storage) or by hand cranking the recharging station which drives a generator inside the device creating electrical power. ********* Hobbyist Engineers: It is possible for a skilled engineer and programmer to fabricate an item that duplicates many of the functions of the ABRD as all of the component items are available in civilian versions. Quality levels and capabilities will vary greatly of course dependent on the skill of the engineer and the quality level of the components used. Generally these individually fabricated devices will have less of a range and less capability as your general hobbyist engineer will not be willing to pay for high end components. References: Defcon 19 Presentation: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/i...how/9503016.cms] Wikipedia entry for Free-Space Optics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_space_op...l_communication Edited by Kudaria, Oct 23 2011, 02:47 PM.
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| Kin | Oct 12 2011, 02:38 AM Post #2 |
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Explorer
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There's a few minor spelling mistakes, but all seems to be in order otherwise. Approved! |
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