Sub-Surface Navigation (SsN)
Abstract
(U) Building on technologies developed under the RSN program, the Sub-Surface Navigation (SsN) program will provide the U.S. warfighter with the ability to navigate effectively underground, where the Global Positioning System (GPS) is unavailable. SsN will also enable long endurance or covert underground missions where alternative navigation aids like inertial measurement units (IMUs) or inertial navigation units (INUs) are unsuitable. The SsN program will use Signals of Opportunity (SoOP) and will develop specialized low frequency RF beacons and specially tailored algorithms to provide 3-dimensional navigation of personnel and mobile platforms underground. SoOP include global lightning events, which are abundant, propagate over very long distances, and are essentially non-deniable signals. The greater strength and diversity of these signals will provide coverage when GPS is denied due to lack of penetration through the earth. This is a two part program: (1) analysis and performance modeling and hardware-based concept validation of beacon-based signals, and experimental verification that SoOP have propagated (and dispersed) through various geological overburdens and can be correlated with sufficient accuracy to achieve desired geolocation resolution; and (2) designing, testing, and demonstrating a (non-form-fit) prototype receiver(s) and algorithms for geolocation using both beacons and SoOP. The SsN technology is planned for transition to the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- c96f81cf36a31ea998ada7da38e1fcc0
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- Root: GUIDANCE TECHNOLOGY