15
Aug
Joint Interagency Field Experiment (JIFX) 15–19 August 2022
Stucan Solutions and Plextek have been selected to demonstrate the Dismounted Position and Navigation Sensor at Joint Interagency Field Experiment (JIFX) 22-4 hosted by Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) which is focused on the following area of interest: Navigation in GPS-Denied Environments & Subterranean UGV Communication.
Location: NPS McMillan Field Laboratory at Camp Roberts California National Guard Post (San Miguel, CA)
Dismounted Position & Navigation Sensor (DPNS)
Background
DPNS delivers 3D positioning, navigation, and team tracking capability to the dismounted user, in the absence of GPS (or more broadly, GNSS).
This allows for precise 3D situational awareness in GPS-challenged (denied or degraded) environments such as buildings,
caves, tunnels, and areas with heavy Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM and hostile RF jamming.
Concept
A small lightweight unit mounted to the boot/shoe of a user with an ergonomic strap. Forward position information to a smartphone/ smartwatch, where it can be displayed on a digital map or navigation app.
Charged wirelessly via QI standard charging.
With an open architecture, it is extremely easy to integrate into any existing or future Dismounted Soldier C4I or SA (Situational Awareness) System.
Benefits
3D position and navigation capability for users in GPS-challenged environments.
Can provide Commanders with the ability to accurately track their team in GPS-challenged environments.
Unlike pedometer-based devices, is accurate when a user is walking, running, and even crawling or clambering over obstacles.
Accuracy is a function of distance traveled without GPS, rather than time. High level of performance out to 1km of distance traveled.
Augments GPS (when available) to increase accuracy (especially when available GPS is degraded).
Potential to add useful features in the future – e.g. automatic ‘man-down’ emergency alarming or user activity classification (e.g. walking, running, crawling).
