Software Helps Soldiers Cope with Electronics Clutter Aboard Trucks

By Grace V. Jean

Military trucks are becoming so high-tech that cabins are running out of space for computer boxes and screens.

One solution to this problem is to digitize systems so they can be integrated into a cockpit-like information network. But that has been difficult to achieve because contractors typically don’t want to turn over their proprietary software to other vendors.

That mindset may be changing now that the Army is demanding integrated systems. Manufacturers that initially balked at letting their software reside on non-proprietary hardware are adapting to accommodate the new requirements, says Greg Glaros, president of Synexxus Inc., an Arlington, Va.-based firm that developed a data distribution system that has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan aboard vehicles operated by explosive ordnance disposal teams.

The Defense Department for the first time is requiring data distribution systems, or middleware, for tactical vehicles. The joint light tactical vehicle will need digital backbones to support the data-rich electronic systems that the military wants. The Army also is seeking a system with which it can retrofit its existing vehicle fleets.

Synexxus’ data distribution system, Electronic Keel, was designed to host different applications in a plug-and-play fashion. Company officials liken the keel to a Christmas tree — vendors can connect their digital or analog components to the system. The processor then converts signals from those multiple sources to an Internet data format and then distributes the information via cellular, wireless or satellite networks. Troops can access the data on a swivel-arm mounted touch-screen display.

Troops no longer have to hop from one computer console to another inside the cab to monitor blue force positions, control vehicle sensors, or fire weapons, says Glaros. At the press of a button, troops can call up individual video feeds or flip through images, manipulate a robot, control a camera, pull up maps or chat. The EKeel, as the system is called for short, runs the Linux operating system, but many of its interface features are modeled after Apple’s iMac computers.

Just as applications can be added to the Apple iPhone and other smart phones and PDAs, new software can be added to the EKeel.

“More and more companies are willing to put their software on our system, thereby allowing us to get rid of excess hardware on the vehicles,” says Nandita Mangal, a software design engineer at Synexxus.

That was not always the case. When the firm initially approached vendors about integrating their technologies onto the system, they were wary and reluctant to participate. Those attitudes are changing. While companies may be experts at developing specific applications, they may not necessarily have the expertise to figure out which display, laptop or processing capability best suits military needs, says Glaros.

Companies including BBN Technologies, Fortress Technologies and iRobot Corp. have their software installed on Electronic Keel.

BBN, a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Co., makes the Boomerang sniper shot detection system. When the device detects a round being fired, it alerts those in the area with a verbal audio cue. Synexxus engineers wrote a graphic user interface to visually display the information. BBN officials say that the integration “provides a significant upgrade to the current alerting and networking capability of Boomerang and provides a central point for the vehicle commanders to carry out their missions” utilizing the information.

Fortress Technologies produces a communications system that ties vehicles into a wireless radio mesh network. Vehicles within range can see each other’s displays and also control sensors remotely. If a convoy is networked to a tactical operations center, commanders at the base can tap into the display feeds to monitor missions and keep tabs on logistical needs such as fuel.

“Everyone knew that networking the vehicles together was a highly desired end state, but few thought it could be achieved,” says Jeff Bradbury, Fortress’ vice president of marketing. The Army’s canceled Future Combat Systems program sought to link soldiers to systems over IP networks. The integration of Fortress’ communication components with EKeel is a step in that direction, officials say. “Networking individual vehicles, and ultimately individual soldiers, is going to solidify the IP standard into nearly every primary communication tool and vastly increase the volume and ease of data integration,” says Bradbury.

iRobot Corp., which manufactures bomb-disposal robots, typically deploys its systems with a portable controller console embedded on a Panasonic Toughbook laptop. During missions, troops stand outside their vehicle with the laptop to drive the robot to a suspected roadside bomb. The PackBot’s operating software was added to the Electronic Keel.

“Removing the bulky and slow [operator control unit] out of the equation is a vast improvement to mission effectiveness,” writes Staff Sgt. Dave Tippens, team leader for an explosive ordnance disposal unit deployed to Iraq. He adds that the robot’s range is much longer using the integrated system.

Teams can control the robots from the safety of their truck cabs using game controllers. Operators of Foster-Miller’s Talon robot can sit side by side with PackBot operators sharing the display or they can collaborate remotely, as Tippens experienced during a mission. “We were able to watch what the robot driver was doing while down range, thereby giving the team leader better situational awareness during the incident,” he recalls.

The larger monitors of the EKeel system and the ease with which troops are able to access the different vehicle sensors and systems give all occupants better knowledge of their surroundings and missions, Tippens says.

“The driver has now become a more valuable part of the team,” says Chris Dour, vice president of Synexxus.

Tippens explains that in his unit’s case, the driver could access the gyrocam and operate the EKeel for the team leader, who did not have to question the robot operator on what was happening down range. “He could look for himself,” Tippens says, and leave the robot operator to concentrate on the task at hand. Whenever troops were dismounted, the driver would use the system to track their movements and stay apprised of any changes in his surroundings.

The company has developed a newer version of the system that is half the size of the one deployed to Iraq. It has increased processing power of 2.28 gigahertz but its energy demands are equivalent to that of a 180-watt light bulb.

Those systems are being installed in armored trucks in Afghanistan, says Dour.

To improve accessibility to the hard drives, engineers built a “flap” into the side of the EKeel. Hard drives can be removed and replaced without having to take apart the entire box.

In case of damage, a redundant signal from all vehicle systems bypasses the EKeel and feeds directly into the 8.5-pound monitor. If the EKeel fails, troops will still be able to access data on the screen. The signal likewise can be patched through a standard monitor so commanders can daisy chain displays, or reproduce the data on multiple screens, says Mangal.

The thinner display makes it easier for troops to grip the screen and type on it using the virtual touch-screen keyboard. The system comes with a physical computer keyboard, though troops say they prefer interfacing by touch.

Glaros says software engineers have come up with a “Rubik’s cube” design to avoid cluttering the system. They have organized the programs onto four different faces of a virtual cube. It’s similar to having four computers inside of one, Mangal explains. Users can rotate the cube to access specific program such as the iRobot application, or operating systems such as Linux and Windows.

New systems are being added. When multiple applications are activated, only the devices being used occupy processor speed while the others running in the background are put into standby mode, says Mangal.

Using a John Madden-like feature called Chalk Talk, troops can write or circle items of interest on their display like a TV sportscaster and send the graphic to other vehicles or to dismounted troops carrying PDAs or laptops. A separate application called “Magnify” helps them enlarge sections of the screen.

Engineers also have incorporated a new 3-D map application called NASA World Wind, which is similar to Google Earth but does not require Internet access or licensing. Maps are downloaded and stored on EKeel. They display the locations of all networked systems, including PDAs and tactical operations centers. The application is not trying to replace the Army’s blue force tracker, known as FBCB2, says Mangal. Rather, it’s another way to help users visualize data feeds. Any tracking or mapping system can be connected into the EKeel, she adds.

Troops have complained that sometimes video feeds appear stretched or pixilated. That was a result of sensors and monitors having mismatched resolutions. An added feature allows those video and sensor feeds to be displayed at actual size.

The system has a digital video recording functionality similar to TiVo. Troops can record any feed coming into the system regardless of whether they’re watching it on their screens at that point in time. All of the data is saved to an external flash drive which can be downloaded or saved for future analysis, says Mangal.

Another program monitors database or sensor usage so the Army can identify which systems are more helpful, says Dour.

Future applications for the EKeel could include autonomic diagnostic systems that track the health of vehicle components.

Control modules, actuators and other devices to automate the vehicle could be integrated via EKeel, say company officials.

EOD soldiers who have been using the system in Iraq say a mission that previously took two hours to complete now takes units as little as 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the situation.