Barry Jones

High-performance air acoustic detection and classification sensor

Acoustic signals are a principal detection modality for unattended sensor systems. However, the performance of these systems is frequently suboptimal due to insufficient dynamic range in small systems or excess power consumption in larger systems. This paper discusses an approach to developing an unattended ground sensor (UGS) system that has the best features of both worlds. This system, developed by McQ Inc., has exceptional dynamic range (> 100 dB) while operating at power levels of 1.5-5 watts. The system also has a user definable signal parameter library and automated detection methodology that will be described.

Application of mesh network radios to UGS

During the past five years McQ has been actively pursuing integrating and applying wireless mesh network radios as a communications solution for unattended ground sensor (UGS) systems. This effort has been rewarded with limited levels of success and has ultimately resulted in a corporate position regarding the use of mesh network radios for UGS systems. A discussion into the background of the effort, the challenges of implementing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) mesh radios with UGSs, the tradeoffs involved, and an overview of the future direction is presented.

Fully networked remote intrusion detection sensors for border monitoring and protection

Protection of the Nations borders in the post-911 era has taken on increased importance while it has become more technically challenging due to dramatic increases in the number of illegal aliens attempting unauthorized border crossings. Unattended ground sensors, used in large numbers, have been a key element of the US Border Patrols inventory of sensing systems that are deployed along the borders to alert agents to intrusions. The legacy sensors are based upon decades old technology and limited in their ability to be networked and integrated into a cohesive web that can provide timely information that can be readily integrated into the Border Patrol and DHS information networks. This paper presents an introduction to a system developed by McQ for border monitoring and intrusion detection that provides full networked capability, from the sensor to the display. The paper also includes results of testing and integration with DHS information systems. The significance of Internet protocol based information generation at the sensor level and real time distribution of data is emphasized, including resource and infrastructure sharing and scalability to nationwide scope will also be discussed.

Disposable sensor system : A present day, truly low cost unattended ground sensor system

This paper will review the work being performed at McQ on the development of a family of truly low cost unattended ground sensor systems using conventional technology and manufacturing techniques. The goal of this work is to produce tactically useable sensors that can be manufactured in large quantities (1-10M units/year) for

Wireless mesh networked radios optimized for UGS applications

10 each. Secondary goals are small size (10-50 cm^3), lightweight (15-60gm), moderate lifetimes (48-72hrs) and moderate communications ranges (10-1000m). Our research indicates that sensors meeting these performance metrics can be manufactured today using conventional manufacturing techniques. The paper will review the basic system architecture proposed, projected sensor performance and projected manufacturing costs.

Affordable Next Generation UGS Development and Testing

Wireless mesh networked (WMN) radios have been applied to unattended ground sensor (UGS) applications for a number of years. However, adapting commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) WMN protocols and hardware for UGS applications has not yielded the desired performance because of compromises inherent to these existing radios. As a leading provider of UGS systems, McQ Inc. has been developing custom WMN protocols and radio hardware that are adapted specifically for the unique scenarios of the UGS situation. This paper presents the McQ designs, the tradeoffs made in developing the designs, and test and performance results.

Security concerns and solutions for unattended ground sensors

Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) are valuable tools for the U.S. military and border patrol, however, their utility is often limited due to their cost, size, and weight. Recently specific advances in micro power electronics, transducers, packaging, and signal processing techniques have enabled the development of a small, lightweight, and affordable UGS. Originally intended for small unit clearing/monitoring operations, a sensor has evolved to achieve detection performance comparable to state-of-the-art UGS. To meet a broader mission capability, battery life and detection capabilities have been extended and affordable networked cameras and repeaters have been developed. This paper will provide an overview of the key enabling technologies for affordable UGS, provide an overview and enhancements of this affordable UGS system, and review results of system testing.

Miniature, ruggedized data collector

McQ has developed and delivered numerous unattended ground sensor (UGS) systems for a variety of applications. The systems provide flexible, wireless communications and numerous options for enabling the user to configure the system for a specific mission. This flexibility is a two-edged sword as it provides both the intended user with the functionality they desire, but also a set of vulnerabilities if a malicious user (e.g. political enemy or competitor) would attempt to disable or reverse engineer the system. McQ has developed various layers of security to address: secure program and data storage on off-chip non-volatile memory; secure access to JTAG on COTS processors and DSPs typically incorporated in the design of embedded systems used for remote sensors; authentication of sensors nodes, relays, and portable user interfaces used in the field that may be compromised; and the management of keys and other security-related data that is required to be stored and maintained in a distributed system. The associated challenges with securing embedded systems typically found in UGS will be described, as well as an overview of the solution that was developed and incorporated into McQs systems to mitigate the vulnerabilities.

Human signatures in urban environments using low cost sensors

McQ has developed a miniaturized, programmable, ruggedized data collector intended for use in weapon testing or data collection exercises that impose severe stresses on devices under test. The recorder is designed to survive these stresses which include acceleration and shock levels up to 100,000 G. The collector acquires and stores up to four channels of signal data to nonvolatile memory for later retrieval by a user. It is small (< 7 in3), light weight (< 1 lb), and can operate from various battery chemistries. A built-in menuing system, accessible via a USB interface, allows the user to configure parameters of the recorder operation, such as channel gain, filtering, and signal offsets, and also to retrieve recorded data for analysis. An overview of the collector, its features, performance, and potential uses, is presented.

Disposable sensor system: low cost UGS for urban operations

McQ has produced a family of small (98 cm3), inexpensive (