CASSIDIAN and its partners test indoor location system of first responders
29 April 2011
* The Demoloc localisation system, which is not reliant on a radio infrastructure, combines motion capture and precise indoor localisation
* Experiments were recently conducted with French firefighters in a real test environment in a private 500m2 underground car park
Cassidian and its partners 3D Plus, CEA-Leti and the emergency-response service for the Rhône region SDIS (Service départemental d'incendie et de secours) are engaged in the Research & Technology project Demoloc, in which they are currently evaluating the potential use of inertial sensors for attitude monitoring and radio triangulation for indoor location. One of the critical aspects of fire-fighting operations in underground environments is the lack of available information at the mobile command centre about the safety status of deployed responders. The system developed by the partners combines motion capture and precise indoor localisation, leading to improved safety for fire-fighters and other public-safety personnel in buildings and other confined areas such as underground parking lots.
In order to remotely determine the location, body position, and level of activity of public-safety personnel inside buildings, Cassidian and its partners combined an ultra-wideband (UWB) radio localisation system, which is not reliant on a radio infrastructure, with motion sensors. This autonomous self-learning system consists of three UWB emitters to be deployed in the field and one receiver to be carried by the first responder. The calculation of the first responder's relative position is done through the electronic device already assigned to attitude monitoring. The position is then uploaded through a Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) link to the command centre, where it can be displayed separately or together with the attitude monitoring data.
The system operates in conjunction with a TETRAPOL-style PMR solution and incorporates automated learning and synchronising of data provided by the network of tags attached to the rescue workers' clothing. Information about body positions – upright, sitting, lying down – and the workers’ activity is determined using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) analysis and is transmitted to a command post by the PMR system. The required sensors are integrated into a compact unit using a highly specific 3D stacking process engineered by 3D Plus.
Experiments were recently conducted with French fire-fighters in a real test environment in a private 500m2 underground car park. The system has demonstrated its capability to locate responders at a distance of 90m with an accuracy of five to 30cm. Six different attitudes (standing, kneeling, lying on left, lying on right, lying on back, lying on front) were monitored with a success ratio higher than 90%. The positive feedback gained from the trial highlights a genuine interest in the new technologies stemming from the Demoloc project.
Cassidian is now working with CEA-Leti on the further development of this attitude monitoring prototype and on its integration with advanced PMR solutions.
About CASSIDIAN (www.cassidian.com)
Cassidian, an EADS company, is a worldwide leader in global security solutions and systems, providing Lead Systems Integration and value-added products and services to civil and military customers around the globe: air systems (aircraft and unmanned aerial systems), land, naval and joint systems, intelligence and surveillance, cyber security, secure communications, test systems, missiles, services and support solutions. In 2010, Cassidian – with around 28,000 employees – achieved revenues of € 5.9 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2010, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 45.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 121,000.
CASSIDIAN - Defending World Security
Contact:
Anke Sturtzel
Media Relations
Cassidian
Tel.: +33 (1) 6138 5330
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