Mechatronics Case Study

Wireless Surveillance Balloon

Contents:

1. Abstract2. Introduction What is surveillance balloon? Purpose and history 3. Working Block diagram of balloon Specifications4. Mechatronics contribution Use of valve mechanism Wireless control5. Current development List of companies Patents related to it6. Summary and Conclusion

Abstract

The demand for high-capacity wireless services is bringing increasing challenges, especially for delivery of the last mile. Terrestrially, the need for line-of-sight propagation paths represents a constraint unless very large numbers of base-station masts are deployed, while satellite systems have capacity limitations. An emerging solution is offered by high-altitude platforms (HAPs) operating in the stratosphere at altitudes of up to 22 km to provide communication facilities that can exploit the best features of both terrestrial and satellite schemes. A miniature surveillance balloon system is described that can be used in military and public safety situations for real-time observations. They are as small as feasibly possible, low-cost and expendable, and typically are deployed in clusters. Balloons may act individually or alternately clusters may act robotically (in unison) without command input at times. Video surveillance information is preprocessed and then sent via wireless communications links. Batteries and/or gas cylinders may be selectively jettisoned to facilitate vertical movement. Balloons may optionally have thruster mechanisms to facilitate lateral movement which may in some embodiments be powered by a source of combustible gas which is also used for providing lift.This paper outlines the application of surveillance balloon as low cost alternative for HAPs for delivery of future wireless surveillance system. This article stresses the importance of wireless surveillance with integration of mechatronics in the system.

Introduction

What is surveillance balloon?

Surveillance balloonsareballoonsthat are employed as aerial platforms forintelligence gatheringandartillery spotting. Their use began during theFrench Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith duringWorld War I, and they continue in limited use today.Historically, observation balloons were filled withhydrogen. The balloons werefabricenvelopes filled with hydrogengas, whose flammable nature led to the destruction of hundreds of balloons on both sides. Observers manning these observation balloons frequently had to use aparachuteto evacuate their balloon when it came under attack. To avoid the potentially flammable consequences of hydrogen, observation balloons after World War I were often filled with non-flammablehelium.Typically, balloons were tethered to a steel cable attached to awinchthat reeled the gasbag to its desired height (usually 1,000-1,500 meters) and retrieved it at the end of an observation session.

Purpose and History

The first military use of observation balloons was by theFrench Aerostatic Corpsduring theFrench Revolutionary Wars, the very first time during theBattle of Fleurus (1794).The oldest preserved observation balloon,L'Intrpide, is on display in aViennamuseum. They were also used by both sides during theAmerican Civil War(186165)and continued in use during theFranco-Prussian War(187071).Balloons were first deployed by the British Army'sRoyal Engineersduring the expeditions toBechuanalandin1884 andSuakinin 1885.They were also deployed during theSecond Boer War(18991902), where they were used in artillery observation at theBattle of Magersfonteinand during theSiege of Ladysmith.World War I observation crews were the first to use parachutes, long before they were adopted by fixed wing aircrews. These were a primitive type, where the main part was in a bag suspended from the balloon, with the pilot only wearing a simple body harness around his waist, with lines from the harness attached to the main parachute in the bag. When the balloonist jumped, the main part of the parachute was pulled from the bag, with the shroud lines first, followed by the main canopy. This type of parachute was first adopted by the Germans and then later by the British and French for their observation balloon crews.

Working

Block diagram

SizeThe balloon system should be as small and light as possible, while still performing its required mission.Gas Sack and GasThe balloon gas sack may be rigid or inflatable. If inflatable, it may be inflated before deployment or may inflate at the time of deployment from gas stored in a small cylinder. If a cylinder is used, the cylinder may have the ability to be jettisoned in order to reduce the overall weight of the balloon system. The gas used may be helium or hydrogen or other lighter-than-air gas. If hydrogen, there may be included the ability to selectively oxidize some of the Hydrogen gas in a controlled manner to produce thrust and/or produce electricity (as in a fuel cell).Electrical PowerThe balloon's electronics systems may be powered by battery, solar power, and/or hydrogen power (fuel cell). The outer surface of the balloon's gas sack may implement a solar cell or have multiple solar cells deployed upon it. Batteries may be re-chargeable from the solar cells, or by energy conversion from hydrogen gas.BatteriesThe system may be designed such that the batteries are implemented as a group of individual batteries where the physical mounting and electrical connection means is such that individual batteries may be jettisoned in order to make the balloon system lighter. Batteries may be re-chargeable or not.Electromechanical ControlsThese may be implemented using miniature conventional solenoid mechanisms, or alternately by micro-machines implemented in advanced semiconductor technology, or some combination of the two.

Directional Travel and ThrustersIn general, the balloon system may be encouraged to travel in the vertical direction by releasing gas from the bag to descend and by either injecting gas from the compressed gas cylinder and/or jettisoning weight to ascend. The balloon system may optionally include some form of directional thrusters to allow it to travel in a specific horizontal direction and/or travel in a vertical direction at a rate faster than the effects of lift and weight would allow. Thrusters may be provided by solid rocket propellant, or alternately by miniature engines that burn hydrogen gas from the bag or from the gas cylinder.Vision SystemThe system will include at least one image sensor providing at least a static image and more desirably, a video image. This system will provide a 360 degree view. The 360 degree view can be accomplished by having multiple image sensors or by having a single image sensor array combined with a lens that enables a 360 degree capture (see IPIX method). If there are multiple sensor arrays, there may be for instance 3 image sensor arrays, each covering a 120 degree view. If video capability is included, the frame rate may be variable such that the capacity of the available communications link is not overloaded. Video compression is typically performed and image preprocessing may also be performed to eliminate unwanted information and further lessen the bandwidth requirement that is placed on the communications system. The vision system may include IR capability for night viewing.

In 1942CanadianandAmericanforces began joint operations to protect the sensitive locks and shipping channel atSault Ste. Mariealong their common border among theGreat Lakesagainst possible air attack.During severe storms in August and October 1942 some barrage balloons broke loose, and the trailing cablesshort-circuitedpower lines, causing serious disruption tominingandmanufacturing. In particular, the metals production vital to the war effort was disrupted. Canadian military historical records indicate that "The October incident, the most serious, caused an estimated loss of 400 tons of steel and 10 tons of Ferro-alloys."Following these incidents, new procedures were put in place, which included stowing the balloons during the winter months, with regular deployment exercises and a standby team on alert to deploy the balloons in case of attack. The idea of free-floating balloons was also used inOperation Outward.

Mechatronics Contribution

1) A DAC can be used for actuating the fins of surveillance balloon

When signal is sent from the base station the relay is activated. This relay actuates DAC and fins are actuated. Due to this Balloon changes direction.

2) Use of data loggersData loggers are used in order to save total flight data. Balloons are also provide with memory to store the captured images

3) SensorsFor camera directions various sensors are set. Sensors also monitor balloon pressure, height of balloon from the ground etc. In general mechatronics is used to automate the process.

Patents and current developments :

PATENT CITATIONSCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitle

US2931597*Jan 28, 1954Apr 5, 1960Gen Mills IncSolar engine balloon altitude control

US2967677*May 13, 1957Jan 10, 1961Winzen Res IncApparatus for launching balloons

US3077779*Feb 10, 1960Feb 19, 1963Froehlich Harold EAir sampling means

US4048565*Jun 17, 1976Sep 13, 1977The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc.Location indicating device

US4457477*Jun 11, 1982Jul 3, 1984Centre National D'etudes SpatialesProcess for altitude-stabilizing a balloon, and atmospheric balloons for implementing this process

US4799914*Feb 9, 1987Jan 24, 1989Hutchinson Jack MRemote control lighter-than-air toy with tether

US4931028*Aug 15, 1988Jun 5, 1990Jaeger Hugh DToy blimp

US5020411*Mar 6, 1989Jun 4, 1991Larry RowanMobile assault logistic kinetmatic engagement device

US5652489*Aug 24, 1995Jul 29, 1997Minolta Co., Ltd.Mobile robot control system

US5819008*Jun 14, 1996Oct 6, 1998Rikagaku KenkyushoMobile robot sensor system

US6010093*Apr 28, 1999Jan 4, 2000Paulson; Allen E.High altitude airship system

US6084510*Apr 18, 1997Jul 4, 2000Lemelson; Jerome H.Danger warning and emergency response system and method

US6119983*Apr 28, 1999Sep 19, 2000Provitola; Anthony ItaloAirship/spacecraft

US6182924*Jun 9, 1998Feb 6, 2001Julian NottBallast for lighter than air aircraft

US6317080*May 5, 2000Nov 13, 2001John Francis Baxter, Jr.Early detection and tracking system for hazardous airborne substances

US6374155*Nov 24, 1999Apr 16, 2002Personal Robotics, Inc.Autonomous multi-platform robot system

US6429812*May 30, 2000Aug 6, 2002Steven M. HoffbergMobile communication device

US6565037*Jun 4, 2002May 20, 2003Tonkovich Gregory PHybrid aircraft and methods of flying

Advantages

1. Very less infrastructure required.2. Relocation of system anywhere within operational range is possible. This includes flood area earthquake areas and other natural disasters.3. Very less launching area is required.

Conclusion

Strengthened information-sharing is needed to derive surveillance for safety and security thereby maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of security measures in sea and coastal areas and normal community. A Commission Communication on a Draft Roadmap towards establishing the Common Information Sharing Environment for the surveillance represents the first step towards achieving this objective. Research topics in the area of maritime Security need to be planned in line with evolving EU policy developments. In particular, the adoption of EUROSUR, which requires the development of an integrated border surveillance system, will need to be taken into account in defining research topics.Thus surveillance balloon can be employed in many ways for safety, for weather surveillance or for civil applications as well.