Multi-mode tracking device
A multimode tracking device includes a line of site (LOS) antenna; an LOS modem for communicating with other multimode tracking devices and for measuring power of a received signal; a satellite antenna; a satellite modem for communicating with a satellite for receiving and sending text messages, data and commands to and from external devices including a tracking and locating system; a Bluetooth or WiFi Direct interface for communicating with external mobile devices; an inertia measurement unit for providing motion tracking information; a user interface for interfacing with a user; and a processor for generating and displaying a line of bearing to the target on the display, based on the measured power and the motion tracking information. The multimode tracking device tracks assets and personnel and sends/receives text messages, data and commands to/from external devices both over the horizon via the satellite and locally via the LOS modem.
1. A multimode tracking device comprising:
a line of site (LOS) antenna;
an LOS modem for communicating with other multimode tracking devices and for measuring power of a received signal, via the LOS antenna;
a satellite antenna;
a satellite modem for communicating with a satellite for receiving and sending text messages, data and commands to and from external devices including a tracking and locating (TTL) system, via the satellite antenna;
a Bluetooth or WiFi Direct interface for communicating with external mobile devices;
an inertia measurement unit (IMU) for providing motion tracking information;
a user interface including a display for interfacing with a user; and
a processor for generating and displaying a line of bearing to a target on the display, based on the measured power and the motion tracking information, wherein
the multimode tracking device tracks the target, including assets and personnel, using received data from the TTL system, and sends/receives text messages, data and commands to/from external devices both over the horizon (OTH) via the satellite, and locally via the LOS modem.
2. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sensors/beacons including radio frequency (RF) transceivers to act as a relay device for data transmission between the external devices.
3. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , further comprising a digital compass and a signal strength indicator, respective outputs of which are displayed on the display.
4. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the multimode tracking device communicates with mobile device applications via the Bluetooth or WiFi Direct interface.
5. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the satellite modem uses Iridium short burst data (SBD) for OTH communications and the LOS modem uses industrial, scientific and medical (ISM)-band radio for LOS communications.
6. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the LOS modem communicates with an unmanned aerial system (UAS).
7. The multimode tracking device of claim 6 , wherein when there is an obstruction between the multimode tracking device and an external device, the multimode tracking device uses the UAS for communication with the external device.
8. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the multimode tracking device receives commands and configuration data for configuring the multimode tracking device, from the satellite via the satellite modem.
9. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the multimode tracking device receives commands and configuration data for configuring the multimode tracking device, from a mobile device via the Bluetooth or WiFi Direct interface.
10. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the multimode tracking device receives commands and configuration data for configuring the multimode tracking device, from other multimode tracking devices via the LOS interface.
11. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , further comprising a multi-global navigation satellite system (GNSS) for locational awareness.
12. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the processor correlates a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a received signal to the line of bearing of the target, and uses a higher number of samples to automatically calculate the line of bearing to be displayed and used to locate the target.
13. The multimode tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the processor utilizes GPS coordinates from a received signal to generate the line of bearing to be displayed and used to locate the target.