A Tactical Power and Data PAN for Helmet-Mounted Electronics

HSI will develop and implement a new Tactical Personal Area Network for the Helmet (TacPAN-H) to ergonomically, ruggedly and reliably interconnect the complex electronic functionality of the modern warfighter helmet. Our TacPAN-H architecture offers the ability to incorporate current helmet components (e.g. NVGs, Strobes, Personnel Markers) and future technologies (Augmented/Virtual/Mixed Reality). The helmet remains a zone that is crucial to standard operator loadouts to improve safety, situational awareness, and lethality. Current helmet loadouts include NVGs, close air support beacons, personnel markers, patrol markers, utility lights, and audio headsets to name a few. The discrete devices are not currently well integrated leading to unbalanced, bulky helmet configurations that can present snag hazards without giving the operator the power and data integration that is needed to increase situational awareness and mission endurance. Multiple user interfaces create distractions to the operator while in the field and reduces their reaction time. This Phase II will adapt HSI’s commercial technology and apply it to the helmet form factor to ergonomically, ruggedly and reliably interconnect the complex electronic functionality of the modern warfighter helmet using HSI’s ePALS technology. The TacPAN-H system manifests itself as a rugged, conformal power and data distribution system, backboned by a helmet-integrated power and data hub, that is easily appliqued to any military or commercial helmet and is configurable, to customer requirements, to enable the connection of any desired set of helmet-mounted electronics. Manifesting itself as a highly conformal PAN, TacPAN-H distributes power to the NVGs as well as other TacPAN-H modules including a CAS beacon, patrol cat eyes and rear and side personnel markers to allow the operator to perform their mission more efficiently and effectively.