Credible Lossy Compression for Sonobuoys Relying on Narrowband Links
Abstract
Sonobuoys provide a critical capability for battlespace awareness. Active source buoys (e.g. AN/SSQ-125) and receive buoys (e.g. AN/SSQ-101 ADAR buoy) radio-stream data to airborne platforms such as a P8 aircraft where operators use decision aids to detect, classify, and localize, (DCL) targets. Degraded and/or narrowband radio links can limit achievement of DCL. This research will evaluate use of cutting-edge compression algorithms that provide operators with usable data even when narrowband radio links degrade. We willwork with hydrophone data samples provided by the ONR, and propose a systemic evaluation of: 1. Cutting edge lossless and lossy compression algorithms;2. Data throughput on RF channels of various capacities;3. Additional processing hardware needed at the sonobuoy; and4. Potential improvement of sonobuoy battery life.To integrate data compression into the processing chain, we envision enhancedoperations at the sonobuoy and at the air borne platform. We propose a low-cost dongle to be coupled to the existing sonobuoy computing hardware. This dongle will compress hydrophone data using cutting edge compression algorithms researched by MiMoCloud. We will research the hardware required for compression at the sonobuoy and decompression at the receiving aircraft, if any. The data willbe decompressed at the air borne platform before being used for DCL. We propose using different measures to evaluate similarity between pre-compression and post-compression data. We specifically propose evaluating data similarity at:1. The sonobuoy to account for losses due to lossy compression, and 2. At the aircraft to account for losses during transmission.We will further research if the process of compression reduces the volumes of data that need to be transmitted over the radio link enough to lower the battery requirements and provide the added benefit of increased battery life. Successful completion of this research may reveal significant improvements in compression ratios (e.g. >>10:1) that enable non-degraded DCL capability at the aircraft. If successful, this research has the potential of improving how data is collected at sonobuoys and exploited on the aircraft. Indeed, this research may also influence how the deployment of sensors relying on other data-intensive sensing modalities can benefit from the availability of cutting-edge data compression algorithms. Enhanced data compression has the potential to create new opportunities to deploy data-intensivesensors in battlefield conditions where connectivity is constrained by narrowband radio links.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 24, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312639
Entities
People
- Tejbir Phool
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy