The use of network-centric devices to monitor bio-status and location of field personnel, distributed through an IP based sensor fusion architecture and display

Abstract

The requirement to monitor a field operator’s vital signs and location was articulated through the Counter Narcoterrorism Technology Program Office. The initial concept was to equip a soldier with a blue force tracker like device, which would be able to monitor and transmit the person’s life signs, as well as their positional coordinates. This thesis focuses on the development of BioRAPIDS (Biomedical-Remote Automated Position Identification System), a capability within a broader sensor management, net-centric, system of systems to monitor, transmit, and display Heart Rate and GPS location. A spiral developmental model was implemented in order to select and integrate components, conduct testing, and provide feedback to the process. Based on system requirements, Commercial-off-the-Shelf/Government-off-the-Shelf COTS/GOTS components were chosen and adapted to meet the required interfaces. Component and subassembly interactions were then modeled using Integration Definition for Functional Modeling (IDEF0) modeling language to ensure traceability between functions and components. The culmination of the 10-month project was the creation of a system; starting at the idea phase through the delivery of a proof-of-concept prototype. Accompanying the created system is this thesis, which documents the development process, records testing analysis, and captures potential future courses of action.