secure optical data communications between tactical vehicles

Proceedings of the 2009 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS)

Secure Optical Data Communications Between Tactical Vehicles - LightSpeed™ Technology

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Dr. Leo Volfson [email protected]

Mr. Tom Stautz [email protected] Torrey Pines Logic, Inc.

San Diego, CA

ABSTRACT

Modern military forces need an alternative to radio‐frequency (RF) based communications between tactical vehicles. Free Space Optics (FSO) can provide that alternative but, to date, the design and form‐factor of the equipment precluded considering it as a viable solution. Recent advances in FSO technologies are changing that and systems suitable for use in tactical field operations are currently being introduced into the battlefield by the special operations community. This paper explores some of the issues associated with adapting FSO to mobile vehicular applications and provides an overview of the current maturity and capabilities of these technologies. INTRODUCTION Various forms of optical communications have been

used by military forces for thousands of years. A relative newcomer in this scene is Free Space Optics (FSO), an optical communications technology that uses light propagating in free space to transmit data between two points. Modern FSO became possible with the advent of small lasers in the 1950s and, more recently, the explosion of Light Emitting Diode (LED) technologies based upon inexpensive and relatively powerful emitter diodes. It is now possible to establish robust and reliable tactical communications networks using FSO and new products are being introduced that provide suitable performance in a form factor small enough for use by soldiers in tactical operations. Although much work is required, there is no reason that FSO technologies cannot be adapted to vehicular applications where it will provide reliable inter‐vehicle communications under a variety of field conditions.

FREE SPACE OPTICS IN PERSPECTIVE Radios are, unquestionably, the preferred solution

for inter‐vehicle, mobile communications and FSO is not suggested as a replacement for this flexible and robust solution. However, there are situations were radio frequency communication is undesirable or impractical and FSO provides an alternative with several advantagesi:

• Ease of deployment • Immunity from electromagnetic interference • High bit rates • Low bit error rate

• Very secure due to high directionality of emission

• License‐free operation Conversely, the inherent enabling aspect of a FSO

system, transmission through the atmosphere, limits the range and effectiveness of the systems. When light is transmitted through a gaseous atmosphere, some of the radiated power is lost by scattering and some by absorptionii. Scattering is result of photons colliding with particles in the atmosphere whereby the photon energy is reradiated in all directions. Absorption is a fundamental quantum process where an atmospheric molecule absorbs the energy from some incident photon.iii Although atmospheric transmittance is a function of many variables: wavelength, path length, pressure, temperature, humidity and the composition of the atmosphereiv, the realistic effect is that low‐power FSO systems are limited in range to a few kilometers over most of the Earth’s surface.

CONSIDERING VEHICULAR APPLICATIONS The most significant issue affecting the viability of a

FSO system on tactical vehicles is scattering from fog or dust in the atmosphere. The transmittance properties of fog are fairly well known and a FSO system can be engineered to minimize this attenuation by selecting an optimal frequencyv. Transmittance through dust is not well documented, in part because it varies according to the size of the particle versus the frequency. Dust is not uniform in

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be a later separate addition after the initial effort is done and thoroughly tested.

Optical Beacon A device that transmits in a wide optical angle or

omni‐directionally can be employed as a optical beacon. This beacon could be visible form several receivers at large distances from the beacon source. Provided they are pointed at the beacon, optical receivers A, B, and C all receive the information transmitted by the beacon.

The omni‐directional beacons are technology being currently developed by TPL. It is expected that variety of omni‐directional devices and associated hardware will become available within the next 12‐24 months matching the performance of current systems and providing extended capabilities for blue force track, equipment tracking, search and rescue operations.

An alternative implementation is a micro‐beacon: a

small localized optical transmitter visible from any direction. Such a micro‐beacon could be worn by an individual as an optical identifier, for example. A Surefire communicator pointed at the individual wearing the ID tag from any angle would detect the optical transmission of the micro‐beacon.

Voice/Data multiplexer

A voice data multiplexer, or combiner, would allow voice and data to be transmitted simultaneously. This

module could likely be incorporated into an external Ethernet adapter module with would provide both a voice and data interface.

CURRENT AND PRIOR DEVELOPMENTS It should be noted that LightSpeed technology has

been developed in stages with some projects being funded in part by Navy, Army and SOCOM.

Beyond systems mentioned above, one of the key developments being currently worked on is the UNREP project. Underway Replenishment (“UNREP”) stands for a device mounted on the side of the ships during re‐fueling operation at sea. Such a device will provide not only voice and data communications but also a distance measurement function between hulls.

Underway Replenishment (LightSpeed UNREP)System provides multiple voice, data lines and real-time distance measurement via optical comms

AN/PAQ-6Bridge Display UnitLightSpeed TransceiverHeadset Jack

The device shown here is being tested at present

and most likely will migrate to a program development enabling functionality not provided by any other equipment. Some of the technology specifically designed for UNREP, such as 180 degree receiver and mux capability will become crucial for follow on product developments.

LightSpeed UNREP

New features:• Distance Measurements <1ft precision• True Mux

• can mux multiple receivers• can mux multiple transmitters

• Full TDMA communication mode• On the move: 40 knots, 160 degrees FOV

AN/PAQ-6



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ACKNOWLEDMENTS Torrey Pines Logic would like to acknowledge the

support of Technical Services Working Group (TSWG), ONR SwampWorks, PEO LMW and Navy OPLOG in the current development of LightSpeed devices and concepts as well as various law enforcement agencies supporting testing and development of tactical operations.

REFERENCES

i Garlington, Babbitt & Long; “Analysis of Free Space Optics as a Transmission Technology”, US Army Information Systems Engineering Command, March 2005. ii Burle, “Electro‐Optics Handbook” Burle Technologies Inc. Copyright 1974, Reprinted 09‐2005, Pg 81. iii Driggers, Cox & Edwards, “Introduction to Infrared and Electro‐Optical Systems”, Copyright 1999, Artech House Inc; Pgs131‐138 iv Burle, Ibid. v Burle, Ibid, Fig 7‐6 on pg 89.

Conference Calling Heads Up Display

TPL G lowi ng Communicati on Fiber

LightSpeed Fiber 40mm LightSpeed Projectile

GEN 7 and Beyond!

Integrated LightSpeed

Chip

secure optical data communications between tactical vehicles

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