Archive | August 31, 2010 | Armed with Science

How Army’s New Handheld Solutions Will Give Taxpayers an “Edge”

Filed under Education & Culture, Policy, Technology by Armed with Science on August 31, 2010 at 12:07 pm {6 comments}

It's obvious that there is a greater return on taxpayer investment (ROTI) if solutions reach the field faster. Apps for the Army was a great start to creating an infrastructure where applications can be shared, downloaded, modified, resubmitted and ranked. Ultimately, this could lead to greater ROTI. (Photo: US Army)

Michael Anthony is the Chief of the Advanced Applications Branch and Collaborative Battlespace Reasoning and Awareness (COBRA) Army Technology Objective (ATO) Manager for the US Army Research Development and Engineering Command, CERDEC, Command and Control Directorate (C2D). Ron Szymanski is a Lead Computer Scientist for CERDEC C2D and the Technical Lead for the COBRA ATO. Both are located at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD.

Yesterday, we defined Edge-Enabled systems and explored some real-world examples. Today, we’ll conclude by discussing how they could increase our operational effectiveness while providing a greater return-on-taxpayer-investment (ROTI).

Today’s Warfighters are facing an ever-changing, ever-adapting, enemy force, so they require a system (or systems) that can adapt as fast (threshold) or faster (objective) than that enemy. Unfortunately, many of their traditional Army systems cannot adapt as quickly as necessary. However, the commercial marketplace routinely showcases this capability.

LTG Sorenson (CIO/G-6 Army) recently gave a brief where he stated that, “DoD should leverage this [commercial marketplace] innovation more effectively.” He then went on to state his “Big Four” goals which all centered on transforming the current acquisition process from one that takes more than five years into one that takes months.

It’s fairly obvious that there is a greater ROTI if solutions reach the field faster. Because our enemies are adapting so fast, a system that takes five years to go from requirement definition to deployment is not optimized for the current fight. As a result, that system goes underutilized or units spend additional dollars to build a solution that meets their needs. In both cases, that initial investment is wasted, but in the latter case, multiple units may end up building the same (or nearly identical solutions) because there is no mechanism to share those products. As a result, not only is the initial investment lost, but new, similar products are being developed three, four, or five times over.

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Have It Your Way: Allowing Soldiers to Customize Handheld Solutions

Filed under Technology by Armed with Science on August 30, 2010 at 1:13 pm {no comments}

Many of our Soldiers are digital natives who have grown up expecting the capability to customize their world. It's understandable that they have the same expectations for communication devices and battlefield systems, and the Army has taken some great initial steps in adopting these types of solutions. (Image: US Army)

Many Soldiers are digital natives who have grown up expecting the capability to customize their world. It's understandable that they have the same expectations for communication devices and battlefield systems, and the Army has taken some great initial steps in adopting these types of solutions. (Image: US Army)

As we mentioned earlier today, CERDEC C2D is exploring Edge-Enabled Systems as part of our efforts to leverage commercial hardware, software, and graphical user interface technologies for handheld, military-specific use. We defined Edge-Enabled Systems in the last post; now it’s time for some real-world examples.

It’s easier to identify more examples in the commercial world than the military world. Edge Systems are things like Facebook, iGoogle, Google Docs, the iPhone (including the App Store), and Android devices (including the Google Marketplace). They are effectively any system that enables the user to operate while away from a desk, and they offer some type of composability.

Facebook enables users to pick and choose applications that can be installed to their environment on the fly. iGoogle offers users the capability to customize their portal based on the information they deem most relevant and the actions they perform on a daily basis. The iPhone App Store has 200,000+ applications, any of which can be installed by any user at any time. Google Docs gives one access to all their presentations, spread sheets, and other documents no matter where you are or on what device you’re viewing them.

Any Warfighter that has recently graduated officer’s school or recently enlisted is a digital native. They have grown up expecting the capability to customize their world. Burger King allows its patrons to “have it your way,” and today’s Soldier expects the same from his/her communication devices and battlefield systems. They expect to be able to customize their experience, compose new solutions, and have access to their information at any place on the battlefield.

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Army’s “Edgy” Concept: Customizable, Mobile Solutions for the Warfighter

Filed under Technology by John Ohab on August 30, 2010 at 11:21 am {3 comments}

An Edge-Enabled System is one that is utilized at the "edges" of the network. Typically, the users are dismounted Warfighters that use thin client (aka web only) solutions and those that use hand-held devices. (Photo: US Army)

There has been a recent push for the Army to leverage commercial hardware, software, and graphical user interface technologies for handheld military specific use. As part of our goal to advance the Army’s agenda, the Battle Command division of the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) is leveraging an “Edge-Enabled Systems” paradigm. I know; that’s a mouth full. But over the next two days, we’ll explain what we mean by Edge-Enabled Systems, we’ll provide some real-world examples, and we’ll end with a brief discussion on the potential return-on-taxpayer-investment.

First, what the heck are we talking about? An Edge-Enabled System is one that is utilized at the “edges” of the network. Typically, the users are dismounted Warfighters or other users that do not have access to a thick client terminal. We tend to classify those users in two categories: those that use thin client (aka web only) solutions and those that use hand-held devices (tablets, mobile phones). Those users are at the “tip of the spear” and not only are collecting and transmitting relevant information on a daily basis, but also have a critical need for the most up-to-date information on their mission area.

Additionally, an Edge-Enabled System “lives in the cloud.” That is to say, application data is not tied to any one device/platform. No matter where one logs in to their Facebook account, they can still access all of their pictures, their friends’ contact information and posts. Facebook doesn’t “care” where you log in from; all your data is available no matter where you are.

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The Bio-Battery: Converting Sugar into Electrical Energy

Filed under Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Technology by Armed with Science on August 26, 2010 at 9:30 am {6 comments}

The bio-battery (enzymatic fuel cell) uses enzymes to convert sugar into energy similar to the way your body uses enzymes to convert food into energy. (Photo: CERDEC)

Christopher Hurley is an engineer with the Army Power division of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), which is located at Fort Monmouth, N.J. Mr Hurley is manager for the Dismounted Soldier Power Army Technology Objective and specializes in energy storage devices.

Last day of the symposium and CERDEC Army Power will be wrapping it up with a media roundtable today! In addition to the “traditional” R&D efforts, I hope we get questions regarding our work in alternative power solutions.

We’re developing fuel cells, smart grids and environmental control units; harvesting wind and solar power; and examining waste-to-energy and biofuels. But one of the more novel projects we’re developing is a power source which converts commonly available sugars directly into electrical energy.

The bio-battery (enzymatic fuel cell) uses enzymes to convert sugar into energy similar to the way your body uses enzymes to convert food into energy. Researchers have spent the last five years working on a unique recipe for a reproducible, stable bio-battery which is both low cost and green.

The bio-battery has numerous advantages over existing batteries. The biggest of which is that it allows for instant recharge (through supply of more sugar) in comparison with traditional batteries which require access to power for two or more hours.

In comparison to fuel cells, the bio-battery has the advantage of a non-toxic, non-flammable fuel source (sugar) which is already in the Army supply chain. This is a huge logistics bonus considering the military’s one-fuel-forward policy makes providing methanol, hydrogen and other alternative fuels difficult.

The first target application is to provide a clean renewable power source for the Warfighter and fulfill a critical role in lightening the soldier’s load. In today’s increasingly electronic Army, Soldiers carry 20-40 pounds of batteries for a typical 72-hour mission. The bio-battery is designed to be a mission-extender to decrease the number of batteries carried by the Warfighter.

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Next Generation Army Power System Combines Wind and Solar Energy

Filed under Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences, Technology by Armed with Science on August 25, 2010 at 10:40 am {no comments}

Tony Bui is an engineer with the Army Power division of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center, which is located at Fort Monmouth, N.J.

There’s a lot of good stuff here at the C4ISR Symposium in Baltimore. We’re presenting at a track session today – our topic is “Power source options for the Brigade Combat Team Modernization Soldier” – and we’ll be conducting a media roundtable, Thursday, 11:45-12:30, on the same topic.

Yesterday, we talked about the Rucksack Enhanced Portable Power System (REPPS), one of our efforts to provide Soldiers with renewable energy solutions, which is a critical focus for CERDEC Army Power. Renewable energy is convenient and sometimes essential when Soldiers are operating in areas that are far removed from main power distribution lines. It also addresses rising fuel costs and the security risks associated with delivering fuel.

As a follow-up to REPPS, CERDEC Army Power envisions the next generation of photovoltaic systems to use wind power generation as part of a hybrid system for larger-power demand applications. We call it the Reusing Existing Natural Wind and Solar system, or RENEWS.

The concept combines wind generation and solar harvesting components to collect energy and store it in a battery bank for future use. Embedded AC/DC outputs would allow military devices to connect to the system for power. Applications that can benefit from this type of system are re-transmission sites, battery charging and command posts.

RENEWS falls into this category of higher power production. Once fully developed, the system is designed for two-man lift that provides higher levels of power and energy storage for use with communications and surveillance in a forward-based environment, where vehicular and/or utility-grid power is not always available.

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New Army Battery-Recharging Kits Run on Renewable Energy

Filed under Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences, Technology by Armed with Science on August 24, 2010 at 10:42 am {one comment}

REPPS provides forward charging capabilities by combining solar panels, connectors and adaptors for increased charging options. (CERDEC)

Tony Bui is an engineer with the Army Power division of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), which is located at Fort Monmouth, N.J.

As my colleague wrote yesterday, CERDEC Army Power is at the C4ISR Symposium in Baltimore this week, discussing and displaying our research and development efforts to support the dismounted Soldier. In addition to emerging technologies, we’ll be addressing some of our recently deployed systems. One that’s been receiving a lot of attention lately is the Rucksack Enhanced Portable Power System, or REPPS.

The REPPS provides forward charging capabilities by combining solar panels, connectors and adaptors for increased charging options. It’s portable and can charge most common military battery types in five to six hours. If devices with higher power need to be charged, several REPPS may be daisy-chained together.

This means units no longer have to be tethered to vehicle power or tactical operational centers. Rather, a solar panel and suite of power accessories provide alternative energy for operating C4ISR equipment and charging standard Army batteries. The system, which has been used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, is designed for silent watch operations and operations in remote areas.

This REPPS has been evolving since 2004; originally, it was just a Soldier Photovoltaic Portable Power Panel. But we’ve been working with units and gathering feedback in order to better meet Soldier needs. As a result, the new incarnation provides a whole spectrum of custom power. The REPPS now includes supplementary connectors and adaptors that are compatible with standard Army batteries (BB-2590, MBITR, Li-145/Li-80). Furthermore, we’ve included accessories such as a NATO Slave plug, a cigarette lighter adapter and an AC/DC adapter for added flexibility. Through the use of these interchangeable adapters, the REPPS will automatically configure it’s charging to the battery type. This increases efficiency and safety.

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Make Me Lighter! The Real Challenge Facing Battery R&D

Filed under Physical Sciences, Technology by Armed with Science on August 23, 2010 at 11:40 am {3 comments}

The Half-Sized BA-5590 is an alternate solution to the standard BA-5590. This new half-sized primary battery provides similar performance and runtime in half the weight and volume as the BA-5590. (Photo: CERDEC)

The idea that batteries are not improving is untrue – over the last four decades, their energy density continues to rise. But with the increased use of electronics in sensors, communications and weapons, the dismounted Warfighter will have to carry more power sources. And this means adding weight to a load that’s already very heavy.

The challenge for improvement lies in developing safe, cost-effective power sources that are small, light, durable and that can support long missions.

As part of our goal to increase energy independence on the battlefield, CERDEC‘s Army Power division is using state-of-the-art battery chemistries to develop Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) batteries that are half the size and weight of current C4ISR batteries, yet provide the same runtime.

The Half-Sized BA-5590 is an alternate solution to the standard BA-5590. This new half-sized primary battery provides similar performance and runtime in half the weight and volume as the BA-5590.

Lithium Carbon MonoFluoride, or Li/CFx, is a chemistry that is typically packaged in coin cells for the commercial and medical markets. Its success in those markets and natural electrochemical properties, have made it a viable option for military applications. Li/CFx is a safe, high-energy density chemistry that offers longer shelf life, lower self-discharge rate, and excellent high-temperature performance.

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Register for DARPA’s Industry Summit!

Filed under Uncategorized by Armed with Science on August 20, 2010 at 2:53 pm {5 comments}

By Kathleen Harger, Chief Advocate Adaptive Initiatives, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Registration closes soon for business leaders to attend the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) second Industry Summit taking place in Arlington, Virginia, on September 29 and 30.

DARPA, the Defense agency tasked with maintaining technological surprise, invites chief executive-level business leaders to engage in an open and informal dialogue regarding the most pressing national security challenges facing the United States.

DARPA leadership will be in attendance to guide dialogue around senior leadership topics.

DARPA seeks to improve industry interaction and create new business partnerships. Through a roundtable discussion format, DARPA hopes to:

Build new collegial relationships at the senior leadership level with both nontraditional and traditional companies of various sizes and various industries – relationships we hope will be lasting and productive
Have substantive dialogue on our most difficult national security challenges
Frame policy issues from the technical community’s perspective and actively contribute to novel solutions

Registration closes on August 27. The successful January 2010 Industry Summit was filled to capacity. January participants are not permitted to register, but may join the waiting list, which will be activated if any of the 112 planned attendee slots are not filled when registration is closed. Rooms have been blocked at Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar in Arlington, Virginia.

For more information, visit the event website.