Integrated Sensor Suite for Threat Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote vehicles lack effective threat detection, autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and mapping capabilities, particularly in complex and non-uniform environments, due to the weight and mechanical limitations of existing LADAR sensors.
Innovation Solution
A sensor suite integrating a 3D imaging system, video camera, thermal imager, and environmental sensors, including Flash LADAR, IR color imaging, spectrographically-based detectors, and ion mobility spectrometry-based detectors, which can be mounted on a pan-tilt payload for remote vehicles, enabling simultaneous data collection and analysis for threat detection and identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional LADAR sensors are used for 3D mapping and navigation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (LADAR, video camera, thermal imager, environmental sensors) into an integrated sensor suite that shares common mounting structures, power systems, and data processing architecture. This merging approach maintains the measurement precision of individual sensors while reducing overall device complexity through shared components and unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor suite is designed with multi-functional capabilities where a single integrated system performs multiple functions: 3D mapping via LADAR, visual documentation via video camera, thermal detection via thermal imager, and environmental monitoring. This universality eliminates the need for separate specialized systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining all required measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical nodding LADAR systems are used to generate 3D data, then measurement precision is improved, but speed and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical nodding LADAR systems with solid-state LADAR sensors that use electronic beam steering or array technologies instead of mechanical movement. This substitution eliminates mechanical inertia and moving parts, dramatically increasing data acquisition speed and enabling real-time 3D mapping while maintaining measurement precision through advanced photodetector arrays and signal processing.
3Reliability
If comprehensive sensor integration is implemented for threat detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor suite is segmented into distinct functional modules (LADAR subsystem, video subsystem, thermal subsystem, environmental sensing subsystem), each with dedicated processing channels. This segmentation allows independent optimization and testing of each sensor type while maintaining reliable threat detection through the integration of multiple complementary sensing modalities that cross-validate findings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sensor suite provides comprehensive threat detection and identification capabilities, enabling autonomous navigation and mapping, even in challenging environments, by combining 3D imaging, video, and environmental data to classify and recognize threats, enhancing safety in structure clearing operations.
Implementation Method 1
The 3D imaging system can include a Flash LADAR. LADAR stands for to laser detection and ranging, which is also referred to as light detection and ranging (LIDAR).
Implementation Method 2
The sensor suite can also comprise a thermal imager for sensing a heat register of a target.
Implementation Method 3
The one or more environmental sensors can include one or more of a spectrographically-based detector, a chemical fluorescence-based detector, and an ion mobility spectrometry-based detector.
Implementation Method 4
The one or more environmental sensors can include one or more of a spectrographically-based detector, a chemical fluorescence-based detector, and an ion mobility spectrometry-based detector.
Implementation Method 5
The one or more environmental sensors can include one or more of a spectrographically-based detector, a chemical fluorescence-based detector, and an ion mobility spectrometry-based detector.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor suite for a vehicle, the sensor suite comprising a 3D imaging system, a video camera, and one or more environmental sensors. Data from the sensor suite is combined to detect and identify threats during a structure clearing or inspection operation. Additionally, a method for detecting and identifying threats during a structure clearing or inspection operation. The method comprises: gathering 3D image data including object range, volume, and geometry; gathering video data in the same physical geometry of the 3D image; gathering non-visual environmental characteristic data; and combining and analyzing the gathered data to detect and identify threats.