| In October 2003, Exponent’s Technology Development practice embarked on a project for the US Army’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF) to evolve a robotics Command and Control (C2) paradigm that was initially fielded in 2002. The Advanced Robotic Controller (ARC) is a fully modular, AES encrypted, soldier-based system that is designed to control various Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV’s), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), and other commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) assets to provide smaller Army units with the ability to rapidly influence their battlespace by collecting real-time data in an asymmetric threat environment.
Additional capabilities organic to the ARC system, enabled by the ARC mesh networking radio, can enhance small unit maneuverability and lethality through digital voice communication, text messaging, and situational understanding. These operational assets significantly improve command and control, fire control and distribution, and communications within organizations or adjacent units. The modularity of the ARC allows for rapid integration of COTS and legacy assets with minimal effort, quick and cost effective upgrades to tomorrow’s technology, and low maintenance costs.
Core Capabilities
- Mapping
- Messaging
- Voice over IP (VoIP)
- Robotic control
Components
- Soldier personal digital assistant (PDA)
- Squad digital radio
- Battery box/GPS
- Robotic controller joystick
- Headset
Soldier PDA
- Expandable and standards-based
- COTS 400MHz XScale processor
- 64 MB SDRAM
- 12 hour internal rechargeable battery
- Ethernet interface
- Ruggedized external case
- Integrated Bluetooth
- Transflective 320x240 color TTF screen MOLLE mounted clip and pouches
- 0.5 lbs
Robotics
- Integrated with iROBOT Packbot
- Integrated Packbot shotgun payloads (2)
- Integrated with Foster-Miller TALON
- Integrated with MAVARC UAV
- Integrated with CMU Polarbot/Mule
- Integrated with TRAP 250 robotic gun mount
- Integrated with RAVEN UAV video
Squad Digital Radio
- Digital 2.4GHz 802.11b
- 11 channels (3 non-overlapping)
- 0.6-2.4 Mbps
- 400m point-to-point range
- Multi-hop, self-healing, mesh network (> 5 hops)
- AES encrypted
- 200mW output power
- VoIP audio
- Ethernet interface
- 2 lbs
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Software
- Mapping and situational understanding
- Georeferenced image files (standard commercial formats)
- Text messaging communications
- Robotic control
- Virtual whiteboard for collaborative planning
- Phrase translator
- Voice recorded playback
- Mission route playback
- Leader book
Robotic Joystick Controller
- Dual analog joysticks
- 6 user programmable buttons
- 1 covered special purpose button
- PDA dock serial connection
- Game controller form factor
Legacy and Interim Integration
- Blue Force Tracker-ARC gateway
- RSTA package/ Image server
- Map server
- NBC sensor package integration
- Vehicle gateway node (high power comms, Pentium computer, flat panel display)
- ATV logistics vehicle with trailer
- Multiple headset integration
GPS
- 12-channel WAAS GPS
- 5m (95% Horz. CEP)
- 3m (95% WAAS enabled Horz.)
- Ethernet position broadcast (PDA and other systems on ARC network)
- Integrated GPS antenna
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