Mechatronics Case StudyWireless Surveillance Balloon Abstract 2.Contents: 1. Current development List of companies Patents related to it 6. Summary and Conclusion . Introduction What is surveillance balloon? Purpose and history 3. Mechatronics contribution Use of valve mechanism Wireless control 5. Working Block diagram of balloon Specifications 4. low-cost and expendable. A miniature surveillance balloon system is described that can be used in military and public safety situations for real-time observations. Video surveillance information is preprocessed and then sent via wireless communications links. while satellite systems have capacity limitations. 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. especially for delivery of the ‘last mile’. This paper outlines the application of surveillance balloon as low cost alternative for HAPs for delivery of future wireless surveillance system. They are as small as feasibly possible.Abstract The demand for high-capacity wireless services is bringing increasing challenges. and typically are deployed in clusters. This article stresses the importance of wireless surveillance with integration of mechatronics in the system. Balloons may act individually or alternately clusters may act robotically (in unison) without command input at times. the need for line-of-sight propagation paths represents a constraint unless very large numbers of basestation masts are deployed. Terrestrially. . Batteries and/or gas cylinders may be selectively jettisoned to facilitate vertical movement. An emerging solution is offered by highaltitude 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. The balloons were fabric envelopes filled with hydrogen gas. To avoid the potentially flammable consequences of hydrogen. whose flammable nature led to the destruction of hundreds of balloons on both sides.Introduction What is surveillance balloon? Surveillance balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. observation balloons after World War I were often filled with nonflammable helium. reaching their zenith during World War I. Historically. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars. observation balloons were filled with hydrogen. and they continue in limited use today. . Observers manning these observation balloons frequently had to use a parachute to evacuate their balloon when it came under attack. Balloons were first deployed by the British Army's Royal Engineers during the expeditions to Bechuanalandin 1884 and Suakin in 1885. . balloons were tethered to a steel cable attached to a winch that reeled the gasbag to its desired height (usually 1. with lines from the harness attached to the main parachute in the bag. where the main part was in a bag suspended from the balloon. Purpose and History The first military use of observation balloons was by the French Aerostatic Corps during the French Revolutionary Wars. World War I observation crews were the first to use parachutes. the main part of the parachute was pulled from the bag. is on display in a Vienna museum. These were a primitive type. the very first time during the Battle of Fleurus (1794). where they were used in artillery observation at the Battle of Magersfontein and during the Siege of Ladysmith. with the shroud lines first. long before they were adopted by fixed wing aircrews. When the balloonist jumped.Typically.000-1. with the pilot only wearing a simple body harness around his waist. They were also used by both sides during the American Civil War (1861–65) and continued in use during the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71).The oldest preserved observation balloon. L'Intrépide.They were also deployed during the Second Boer War (1899–1902).500 meters) and retrieved it at the end of an observation session. Working Block diagram . This type of parachute was first adopted by the Germans and then later by the British and French for their observation balloon crews.followed by the main canopy. Size The balloon system should be as small and light as possible. while still performing its required mission. it may be inflated before deployment or may inflate at the time of deployment from gas stored in a small cylinder. Gas Sack and Gas The balloon gas sack may be rigid or inflatable. If inflatable. If a cylinder is . Batteries may be re-chargeable or not. 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 . If hydrogen.used. The outer surface of the balloon's gas sack may implement a solar cell or have multiple solar cells deployed upon it. or by energy conversion from hydrogen gas. Directional Travel and Thrusters In general. the cylinder may have the ability to be jettisoned in order to reduce the overall weight of the balloon system. Electrical Power The balloon's electronics systems may be powered by battery. or alternately by micro-machines implemented in advanced semiconductor technology. 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). solar power. and/or hydrogen power (fuel cell). Batteries may be rechargeable from the solar cells. The gas used may be helium or hydrogen or other “lighter-than-air” gas. Electromechanical Controls These may be implemented using miniature conventional solenoid mechanisms. or some combination of the two. Batteries The 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. The vision system may include IR capability for night viewing. 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. each covering a 120 degree view. 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. there may be for instance 3 image sensor arrays. 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). the frame rate may be variable such that the capacity of the available communications link is not overloaded. 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. Vision System The system will include at least one image sensor providing at least a static image and more desirably. If video capability is included. This system will provide a 360 degree view.and/or jettisoning weight to ascend. If there are multiple sensor arrays. . a video image. Canadian military historical records indicate that "The October incident. The idea of free-floating balloons was also used in Operation Outward.In 1942 Canadian and American forces began joint operations to protect the sensitive locks and shipping channel at Sault Ste. and the trailing cables short-circuited power lines." Following these incidents. . causing serious disruption to mining and manufacturing. Marie along their common border among the Great Lakes against possible air attack. with regular deployment exercises and a standby team on alert to deploy the balloons in case of attack. In particular. During severe storms in August and October 1942 some barrage balloons broke loose. new procedures were put in place. the most serious. the metals production vital to the war effort was disrupted. caused an estimated loss of 400 tons of steel and 10 tons of Ferro-alloys. which included stowing the balloons during the winter months. Due to this Balloon changes direction. 2) Use of data loggers Data loggers are used in order to save total flight data.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. Balloons are also provide with memory to store the captured images . 1982 Jul 3. height of balloon from the ground etc. 1990 Jaeger Hugh D Toy blimp US5020411 * Mar 6.3) Sensors For camera directions various sensors are set. 1976 Sep 13. Inc.. 1963 Froehlich Harold E Air sampling means US4048565 * Jun 17. 1991 Larry Rowan Mobile assault logistic kinetmatic engagement device US5652489 * Aug 24. 1984 Centre National D'etudes Spatiales Process for altitude-stabilizing a balloon. 1977 The Raymond Lee Organization. Mobile robot control system Applicant Title . 1987 Jan 24. 1957 Jan 10. Location indicating device US4457477 * Jun 11. 1989 Jun 4. and atmospheric balloons for implementing this process US4799914 * Feb 9. Ltd. Sensors also monitor balloon pressure. 1988 Jun 5. In general mechatronics is used to automate the process. 1989 Hutchinson Jack M Remote control lighter-than-air toy with tether US4931028 * Aug 15. 1997 Minolta Co. 1960 Feb 19. 1960 Gen Mills Inc Solar engine balloon altitude control US2967677 * May 13. 1961 Winzen Res Inc Apparatus for launching balloons US3077779 * Feb 10. 1995 Jul 29. Patents and current developments : PATENT CITATIONS Cited Patent Filing date Publication date US2931597 * Jan 28. 1954 Apr 5. 2000 Paulson. Very less launching area is required. 2000 Provitola. Allen E. 2. 2000 Nov 13. Hoffberg Mobile communication device US6565037 * Jun 4. 3. Danger warning and emergency response system and method US6119983 * Apr 28. 2001 Julian Nott Ballast for lighter than air aircraft US6317080 * May 5. 2000 Aug 6. 1997 Jul 4. 2001 John Francis Baxter. 1998 Rikagaku Kenkyusho Mobile robot sensor system US6010093 * Apr 28. 2003 Tonkovich Gregory P Hybrid aircraft and methods of flying Applicant Title Advantages 1. Very less infrastructure required. High altitude airship system US6084510 * Apr 18. Anthony Italo Airship/spacecraft US6182924 * Jun 9. Early detection and tracking system for hazardous airborne substances US6374155 * Nov 24. Jr. 2002 Personal Robotics. 1999 Jan 4. . Jerome H. 2002 Steven M. Relocation of system anywhere within operational range is possible. 2002 May 20. This includes flood area earthquake areas and other natural disasters. 1996 Oct 6.Cited Patent Filing date Publication date US5819008 * Jun 14. 1999 Apr 16. Autonomous multi-platform robot system US6429812 * May 30. Inc. 2000 Lemelson. 1998 Feb 6. 1999 Sep 19. Research topics in the area of maritime Security need to be planned in line with evolving EU policy developments. will need to be taken into account in defining research topics. 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.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. which requires the development of an integrated border surveillance system. for weather surveillance or for civil applications as well. the adoption of EUROSUR. Thus surveillance balloon can be employed in many ways for safety. . In particular.