Landwarrior Tracking Unit (CommServer) - Single
PAN Solution for Mulitple Remote System's Integration
Functional Overview
The CommServer unit is a flexible communication device that can channel
data to and from a variety of remote sensory and control devices and a
centrally located host computing system via a RF Data Modem. These units
were designed to reduce the complexity of the apparatus for the
instrumented soldier. The CommServer handles devices as simple as a GPS
receiver to complex message trafficking applications running on a PDA
computing device. The main benefit of the CommServer is the
consolidation of communications from multiple devices down to the
central host computer. Combined with an RNI gateway, the data are
directly converted to standard messages for use in test, evaluation, and
training data collection and AAR.
With the flexibility of the computing power provided on the unit, the
CommServer can simply pass data through its channels or process the data
and produce complicated behavior based on the communication traffic.
Each input port is fully configurable to allow insertion of new onboard
technologies into the telemetry architecture.
Enhancements
in this version of the CommServer are two fold, one is the addition of a
point to multi-point Bluetooth channel for connecting multiple devices
to the CommServer by way of the Bluetooth Serial profile protocol and
two is a object oriented configurable software model that allows various
devicns to be connected to any desired port on the CommServer unit. As
an example, a PDA may connect to the CommServer and have it act as
straight pass-through operation; a BT GPS device may be connected and
the CommServer can process the GPS NMEA data stream and output location
update messages to the hosting computer. An engagement system can be
remotely directed from the host computer to affect a kill status.
In this version of the CommServer, configuration is by way of a simple
terminal interface and a set of ASCII commands. Configuration consists
of setting the radio operating parameters, binding connected devices to
CommServer interfaces (more on this later), and configuring operating
parameters of each connected device.
Radio Network Operational Overview
The CommServer runs as a client in a radio network. The network consists
of a Base Station and many Clients radio units. The network link is
provided by Microhard MHX-910 and/or 910a radio modems in client/server
modes.
The following figure illustrates the general connectivity and peripheral
connections to the integrated CommServer unit.
Figure 1. CommServer Component and Peripherals Diagram
