RANGE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR EGYPT
By David Maxwell
With a weapons range some 40 km from end-to-end, provision of modern digital telemetry and data transmission facilities to assist ballistics development and evaluation processes is not an easy task. However, British company, IndiComm, is in the final process of installing and integrating just such a system for the Ministry of Military Production (MMP) in Egypt.
Contracted by the Egypt’s MMP in 2010, IndiComm’s task was to develop a range surveillance, measurement and control system for their Central Shooting Range (CSR) near Cairo in order to help ordinance development and provide accurate dispersement data. The system was required to transmit live images, data and also telemetry accurately, safely and fast over a firing range of 40km in length using state-of-the-art wireless technology.
As the target area is not visible from the firing point, telemetry links were important element in order for the command centre to be able to have some control over imagery received. In addition, the system had to comprise mobile units as no equipment was to be left unattended on the range while not in use.
Due to the distances involved, with no direct line-of-sight from one end of the range to the other, IndiComm’s solution was a system developed around 3 mobile modules using L&S band as the most appropriate bands for that area (system frequencies are flexible dependent on location and client requirements).
The system consists of the following;
* A mobile unit at the target area with a high-speed camera and CCTV/PTZ IR camera system which can be controlled from the command centre. This system could be mounted on any vehicle.
* An MMU repeater module to be deployed on the ridge, which runs perpendicular to the range around the midpoint; and
* A receiver module at the command centre to receive and distribute imagery and data as required.
All imagery collected via the CCTV and high-speed cameras can be recorded either on the vehicle or at the command centre.
Training on the system took place at IndiComm’s Louth facility in January and once installation at the CSR is complete, the range should be fully operational by the beginning of March 2011.
Upgrades to the system currently being discussed include the additional facilities of Wi-Fi II cloud, weather data collection/transmission and flight follower system.
Wi Systems launches new WiFi Systems
In November, Wi-Systems, the wireless communications division of IndiComm Global Ltd, launched its new long-range modular wireless systems, Vega and Aquila. Both the Vega and the Aquila systems were rolled out and successfully demonstrated this week at a location in Lincolnshire.
Together with some of Europe’s leading technical innovators, IndiComm launched Wi-Systems in January 2009. Since then IndiComm has moved forward and developed its own proprietary range of secure, high bandwidth, long range transmission systems capable of transmitting data, voice and CCTV video etc for use in a wide range of applications including security, remote areas, outdoor events and local government. These systems can be mounted into vehicles or are available as completely portable units. They can be powered by a combination of Solar & Wind or battery solutions if required which make them totally independent and able to work in remote locations.
Wi-Systems have the following attributes:
* Higher wireless throughput – up to 300Mbps and, via a unique UHX(r) technology.
* Longer range – tuned wireless technology to achieve distances up to 40km.
* Greater security -most products provide military standards of security for secure data transfer. Our wireless solutions blends MAC filtering, WEP 152bit, WPA/2 with TKIP or AES encryption with a unique SPG1 packet compression, to provide complete peace of mind.
* More rugged – weatherproofed beyond IP65, built to demanding military standards – their reliability means less c