Over-the-Horizon Communications for Small Autonomous Ground Based Observations

There is a need for the capability to transmit data from various types of unattended ground based sensors such as biological/chemical, meteorological, audio/video surveillance, communication monitoring/decoying and vehicle/personnel movement sensors. These sensors will be precision air deployed using standard countermeasures dispensers and will be packaged in standard flare and chaff countermeasures form factors. Neptune Sciences Inc. (NSI) performed Phase I research to prove the feasibility of providing long term, long range data communications using a miniature satellite communications module small enough to fit within standard flare and chaff countermeasures form factors, while allowing sufficient space for sensors, power source, and the control and GPS components necessary for precision air delivery. Using the conceptual design resulting from Phase I research, NSI proposes to fabricate and test laboratory versions of an expendable Precision Air Deployed (PAD) Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) using miniature innovative control/communication, PAD and Power Management support modules and special sensors. Field prototypes of UGS units packaged in MJU-10 countermeasures form factors will be developed and ground tested. Fight testing will be conducted to precision air deploy UGS prototypes and validate long term on ground operation of sensing and data communications via satellite modem