Scalable-Network Wireless Imaging Sensors for the Battlefield

The capability of instantly transmitting images of interest from video sensors deployed in the battlefield back to the commander’s base station is an important combat operational advantage. To be able to have “extra eyes” in a combat zone is indeed the goal of any surveillance network. However, design and development of such a functional video network involves solving many technical issues. Some of these issues are day-night vision capability, power conservation, image resolution, range, line-of-sight, stealth-camouflage, robust transport protocols, video packet transmission integrity, bandwidth availability, anti-tampering and finally, an integrated video sensor system that is cost effective, as some of these components are necessarily disposable in a combat zone. In order to cover various area sizes, the video network needs to be able to expand, i.e., scalable, to meet the changing demands. This proposal presents a cohesive wireless video sensor network that would provide real-time battlefield situation awareness by instantly transmitting target surveillance images to the base station on demand or when triggered. This video sensor network can function alone, or in combination with sensor systems such as seismic, acoustic, magnetic and thermal. This network will also be scalable to meet changeable coverage requirements.