1. Soldier’s Digital Assistant (SDA)
Convoy Situation Awareness and Voice Communication for IED Damage Prevention, Mitigation and Response…
Naval Research Labs
April 8, 2005

2. IED Threat
In January 2005 alone, guerillas in Iraq have set off 974 of the jury-rigged weapons - forty-one percent of the insurgents' attacks, the New York Times says.
More than half of U.S. casualties in Iraq are from IED strikes, according to estimates from the Lexington Institute.
According to D-SECDEF, this is the DoD’s #1 Priority…

3. The Need
“The focus should be on prolonged low-intensity conflict and on systems tailored for small combat units, he said.”
“The number one problem for soldiers is network-enabled battle command. Small units lack situational awareness technologies, such as Blue Force Tracking, a common operational picture and the ability to fuse disparate data. The flow of information in real time is a problem.”
Brig. Gen. Philip Coker, director of capabilities development at the Training and Doctrine Command's Futures Center in Fort Monroe, Va.
Excerpts taken from January 2005 National Defense Magazine Article. Click this text box to read entire article.

4. IED Threat Fallujah Urban Area Roughly 20 Sq Kilometers In Size
Average City Block = 100 X 200 Meters
Average Number of Fallujah City Blocks = 1000
653 total IEDs were found and detonated in Fallujah. The average number of IEDs found and/or detonated across Iraq per month from July to October [2004] was 772.
11 IED Factories were found.

5. Two Currently Fielded Capabilities
The Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR)
AN/PSN 13
A Rockwell Collins Product
Click the photo to view the DAGR Brochure
The Icom Radio
IC-F43G UHF Transceiver
Click the photo to view the Icom Brochure
Army Authorized to buy 43,000 units
5,000 Units on Order
14,000 Units Delivered
50,000 Units on Order

6. The Icom Radio History
The Army needs reliable communications systems for urban operations, said Coker. Troops were sent to war with a squad radio, produced by Icom America Inc. But that radio proved so ineffective that the soldiers resorted to a $60 Sony walkabout, which works at ranges of 3 kilometers and is compatible with Army frequencies, said Coker.
“Here we have the only way for these kids to talk because the Icom radio we bought them is hideously useless,” he said. In order to use the radio, soldiers had to turn off the jammers in the vehicles, because otherwise the radio could not function. “That is criminal. We have failed our soldiers.”
The Army, however, proceeded to buy another Icom radio, this time produced by the Japanese Icom company. Now, the Icom 43 is “wonderful,” Coker said. The Army plans to buy 43,000 during the next three months.
Excerpts taken from January 2005 National Defense Magazine Article. Click this text box to read entire article.

7. DAGR, designed for the Warfighter.
DAGR Summary
DAGR, designed for the Warfighter.
Reduced Warfighter Loadout for 72 hour missions
As compared with PLGR, 3.5 lbs less
Unmatched Savings -- $700M for Program
$4700 Battery Savings per DAGR over PLGR during its 10 year service life.
Ease of Use in the field
Electronic Map/Sat Images
Electronic compass
Positional and Navigational confidence
Anti-Jam Features Increase GPS Utility
Fast Acquisition and User Feature Set are familiar to Commercial GPS Users
Commitment to continuous Product Improvement

8. DAGR Physical Attributes
DAGR’s design is the result of over 11 years of user feedback and lessons-learned.
<25 cu. Inches
<1 lbs. (15 ounces) including batteries
Large Graphics LCD
Survives POL, NBC, HEMP environments
Wide -32 to +70 °C. operation
>25,000 hr. MTBEFF demonstrated (80%)
Very High Display Impact Protection and Improved Scratch Resistant Lens
14 hrs (22 hrs typical) continuous track / 4 AA batteries
144hrs (200 hrs typical) at 4 fixes/hr track
<10 sec Direct-Y Hotstart Acquisition
<15-30 sec typical Direct-Y Warmstart Acquisition
>50 dB J/S Tracking
L1 and L2 Simultaneous Dual Frequency Reception
12 Channel Parallel Tracking Signal Processing
Jammer Detector and Pointer
Internal Electronic Compass
Web based downloads and DAGR to DAGR reprogramming
Targeting, LRF and CAS9-Line Growth for FO/FAC, GLS/survey capable
Serial Port compatibility with PLGR integrations
DAGR and Accessories fit within existing PLGR volumes

9. IC-F43GT Features Typical Operating Range* Power 1W 2W Urban
The IC-F43G series covers a wide frequency range in one version (Two versions available, 400–470MHz or 450–512 (520) MHz).
The 256 memory channel capacity with 16 memory banks allows you to divide and store a variety of flexible channel groupings.
Easy memory channel selection with a simple rotation of the rotary channel knob.
Typical Operating Range*
Power 1W 2W
Urban
Environment
1 km
2 km
Rural
2-3 km
5 km
*Range may vary based on environment

10. What is the Soldier’s Digital Assistant
Two proven devices combined to give the warfighter a solution that’s greater than the sum of its parts!
Voice Communication
Navigation Capability
Situation Awareness + =

11. Soldiers Digital Assistant (SDA)
Secured position and status reporting to squad leader for passage to upper-level FBCB2/BFT systems
BFT-coordinated commands via voice from squad leader to individual soldiers
Potential to use SDA systems for IFF and CSAR actions at individual soldier level
001 Moving forward
002 Moving left
004 Halt and return
000 Enemy at XXXXX
UNIT SELECT: XXX
MSG TEXT: ____________
Networked position and status exchange of spot report data, enemy locations, and self location
Enhanced GPS-based position by exchange of data between soldiers
Exploits existing capabilities of DAGR GPS handheld to reduce need for similar-functionality equipment via DAGR-extension “backpack” data link
Secured text and voice comm within squad
SDA Leverages the Competencies of 14,000 (And Growing) Delivered DAGR Units by Offering New Capabilities for Individual Soldiers at a Significant Cost Savings Over Existing Methods

12. Mechanical Design Considerations
Eliminates the need to carry multiple devices
Units affixed to eliminate the need for cables
Weight
Entire System ~23 oz.
Same batteries utilized by both systems (AAs)
The radio’s speaker, microphone, keyboard, display eliminated
The integration of the two units is being carefully planned to allow retrofitting of existing DAGRs with the radio in the field
Pass-through of serial cable allows for use of existing peripherals

13. SDA Applications / Benefits
Individual situational awareness/BFT minimizes friendly fire and creates a very low cost IFF (Interrogation Friend or Foe) system
Can interrogate by voice OR data
Squad leader visibility to local team members in real time allows more efficient field of fire laydowns and reduces decision time in planning attacks
Facilitates combat search and rescue

14. SDA Applications / Benefits
Allows for quick dispersal of troops to coordinate perimeters
Price level consistent with the need to proliferate capability
Use of existing equipment mitigates policy issues
DAGR compliant with OSD GPS/SAASM Mandate dtd. October ’02
Frequency allocations presumed to be accommodated through Icom procurement
SCA compliancy waiver presumed to be accommodated through Icom procurement

15. SDA System Specification Summary
The SDA will display appropriate radio warnings
The SDA will display up to 20 participant nodes with a unique identifier on a map or geo-rectified image and will indicate after a period of time that the node location has not been updated
The SDA will mitigate the effect of hostile meaconing
The SDA will share it’s position in two user selectable modes:
On a user-defined timed interval basis
When the Push-to-talk button is released
The SDA can command all other participant nodes to send position report under the following modes:
Under a one time only position request
On a continual periodic basis
The SDA will allow user control of encryption and radio transmit power

16. Summary The SDA will greatly benefit the warfighter
Designed to be cost effective allowing for wide-scale proliferation based on affordability
Leverages already significant investment in fielded DAGRs
Provides for greater capability at lower echelons
Facilitates efficient operations based on situation awareness which should relieve burden
Rockwell Collins has fully supported this development
Capability and affordability of solution suggested that we should begin ASAP for the benefit of the warfighter
Rapid prototypes in hand
Established data communication capability (not available in off-the-shelf Icom radio)
Domestic (US) demonstration capability available 26 April 2005
Planning for 55 units to be available 1 June 2005 for field trials
Material for production representative SDAs being placed on order

17. Backup

18. SDA Modifications to Icom 43 Radio
Modifications to the Icom 43 Radio for use in the SDA Module Include the Following.
Removal of Internal Speaker and Microphone
Elimination 4 Function Buttons
Transfer of Radio Command & Control Functions from Radio to DAGR Unit
Movement of Push-to-talk radio button from radio to in-line headset

19. RCI Past Experience
RCI has significant experience in navigation, GPS, communications, network data exchange, human factors, and soldier systems
RCI has performed successfully in several past programs related to the overall SDA concept
IRIS PLGR position exchange for location reporting/SitAw (Canada/CDF – )
Lightforce tactical PDA proposal (RCI-1998)
Bowman in-vehicle GPS HH device for position reporting ( )
PLGR LAN GPS HH based situational awareness for MOUT (1998)
LPI COM/NAV Handset (for DARPA-1993 / used GPS PRN to enable secure comm)
Individual Soldier Radio (ISR) (for CECOM – 1996)
GLOMO (DARPA ITO – )
Soldier Phone (DARPA – ) / FPGA based device in PCMCIA

20. Projected SDA Roadmap of Enabling Technology and Functional Capabilities *
FY05
FY06
FY07
COTS radio integration w/ DAGR
RCI/SNL radio and protocol development
DAGR ICD and HMI modifications
ICD modifications for BFT interfacing
Voice/data security coding and layering development
Enabling technology to create functions
Waypoint utility extensions
Distributed GPS
DGPS broadcasting
Dead reckoning module
Targeting application extensions
Chem/bio/IED sensing
Tactile interface
Sniper algorithms
Improved position reporting accuracy
Squad positions to each user
Increased robustness of GPS position determination
Improved fields of fire estimation via networked position and waypoint sharing
Intra-squad short messaging of status and commands
Increased security of operation
Functional capabilities available
Networked targeting accuracy error reduction via multiple spotter sharing
Inter-squad capability only by use of common node participant
Ability to use networked squad as sensor net for chem/bio/IED or sniper detection
Security of radio and efficiency of data transmissions dependent on COTS radio only
Improved efficiency of use via non-visual interface for navigation
Full interface to upper tier tactical situational awareness / BFT network
* Significantly more functional capabilities exist

21. Current COP (Common Operational Picture) Tactical Infrastructure – Upper Level
L band link for BFT/Position Data
GPS
SATCOM C2 links for Tactical Internet and Voice Traffic
In theater and strategic level command center
C2 Data aggregation, command, and control (via ABCS/ GCCS databases, BFT, MTS, and GPRS control systems)
Overall architecture under rework into WIN (Warfighter Information Network)
EPLRS larger bandwidth tactical data/vox radios
SINCGARS tactical data/vox radio
MT-2011 L-band transceiver
Handneld or embedded PPS GPS
MTS Mobile Tracking Vehicular Terminal
FBCB2/BFT Vehicular Terminal
USMC M-DACT Mobile and Vehicular Terminal (embedded GPS and EPLRS)
GPRS Search/Rescue Helo/Vehicular Terminal
Voice / data link
L band data link
GPS receive link
SATCOM / SV links
Note commonality in four major positional tracking systems used by US armed forces

22. Current COP (Common Operational Picture) Tactical Infrastructure – Lower Level (USA, USMC)
To Upper Level tactical network and voice communications
USMC M-DACT Mobile and Vehicular Terminal (embedded GPS and EPLRS)
FBCB2/BFT Vehicular Terminal (external GPS and SINCGARS/EPLRS)
COMPANY COMMANDER / PLATOON LEADER
USMC D-DACT Dismounted Terminal Mobile (embedded SINCGARS/EPLRS and GPS; non-networked voice com to SL)
USA CDA (Current and Land Warrior) - (embedded L-band/BFT, SINCGARS, GPS; non-networked voice com to SL)
PLATOON LEADER (PL) / SQUAD LEADER (SL)
No individual BFT or use of positioning data; voice-only status and control; no dissemination of upper level data
SQUAD LEADERS (SL)
Individual non-networked voice radios and handheld GPS (on occasion)
INDIVIDUAL SOLDIERS
Individual non-networked voice radios (on occasion), no GPS
Voice / data link

23. Current COP (Common Operational Picture) Tactical Infrastructure
Both voice and data channels in existing infrastructures exhibit a “necked-down” bandwidth and availability model
Command structure dictates availability and control of voice/data access
Number of “upper level”-capable radios less as one goes lower
Number of “lower level” radios desired more
Bandwidth is lessened at the “lower level” tiers, power (thus range) is lessened, digitization and security typically less of concern due to short time value of information
Command structure
“Upper level” longer range voice and data radios and tactical network infrastructure
Decreasing bandwidth and capability
Company +
Platoon
Squad
Soldier
Sensor
Increasing need for individual positioning, close-range, secure comms
“Lower level” short range voice-primary radios
Quantity allocation
Area of opportunity for short range voice + networked data radios with GPS positioning in small package
Additional opportunity to “broaden the neck” and increase bandwidth at lower radio levels