WorkSat - Collision Avoidance GNSS SRE
Background
Beech Integrated Technologies has experience in creating dynamic real time spatial relationship data for animation. Much of this experience was gained when Beech was commissioned to supply, install and maintain 'Spatial Relationship Engines' (GNSS receivers with precision positioning, very accurate heading, roll, yaw and pitch measurement in real-time) on all vessels to allow the creation of the animation of the 32nd America's Cup fleet regatta in Valencia Spain in 2005 – 2007.
The animation was broadcast by world media to your living room and transformed the event into watchable television. The animation feed to media was consistent and reliable for the first time in Cup history stimulating accolades from the Cup committee and the pre-eminent world media present.
The opportunity to participate in this prestigious and challenging project began when Ian Taylor of Animation Research became aware of our work in GNSS assisted precision navigation of supertankers onto floating wellheads enabling a snorkel to be located safely for oil extraction.
The animation was broadcast by world media to your living room and transformed the event into watchable television. The animation feed to media was consistent and reliable for the first time in Cup history stimulating accolades from the Cup committee and the pre-eminent world media present.
The opportunity to participate in this prestigious and challenging project began when Ian Taylor of Animation Research became aware of our work in GNSS assisted precision navigation of supertankers onto floating wellheads enabling a snorkel to be located safely for oil extraction.
Spatial Relationship Engines
Spatial Relationship Engines (SREs) may be used anywhere two objects are on a converging course which may have consequences if it continues without control or precision. For example AIS / SAIS for marine applications.
The (now) ubiquitous AIS system mandated for all ships* at sea has transformed shipping channels and safety at sea beyond all measure not thought possible before its inception. There is no good reason why this phenomenon should not be deployed on land and in uncontrolled airspace. * larger than 300 GT.
SREs may also be used for collision avoidance (separation safety) on mine roads and forest extraction sites. These precise active collision avoidance and safe distance alarm engines normally stand alone in their own low energy network. Although autonomous (in stand-alone mode) the system can optionally be extended using additional communications infrastructure to carry the spatial relationship data and alarm sequences to central control and an archive which may be used for playback for the purpose of site management, animated training, statistical analysis or legal evidence. As the intelligence is distributed in each SRE the system presents a very robust and persistent reliability. And because the avoidance function and the alert mechanisms operate entirely independently in isolation of infrastructure and oversight the primary imperative (safety) is achieved in the first instance, automatically in a stand-alone process.
The (now) ubiquitous AIS system mandated for all ships* at sea has transformed shipping channels and safety at sea beyond all measure not thought possible before its inception. There is no good reason why this phenomenon should not be deployed on land and in uncontrolled airspace. * larger than 300 GT.
SREs may also be used for collision avoidance (separation safety) on mine roads and forest extraction sites. These precise active collision avoidance and safe distance alarm engines normally stand alone in their own low energy network. Although autonomous (in stand-alone mode) the system can optionally be extended using additional communications infrastructure to carry the spatial relationship data and alarm sequences to central control and an archive which may be used for playback for the purpose of site management, animated training, statistical analysis or legal evidence. As the intelligence is distributed in each SRE the system presents a very robust and persistent reliability. And because the avoidance function and the alert mechanisms operate entirely independently in isolation of infrastructure and oversight the primary imperative (safety) is achieved in the first instance, automatically in a stand-alone process.
How GNSS SREs Work
Each SRE has a high performance low power radio modem on a unique frequency for linking with other SREs. In addition, an optional bluetooth interface connects the SRE to a mobile or portable two-way radio or satellite phone modem set-up to retransmit the records to central control, the safety issue having been dealt with already in real time in the stand alone autonomous process.
The spatial relationship data is generated by a Swiss Ublox Differentially Corrected GNSS multi constellation receiver coupled to a micro-controller with spatial relationship measuring firmware. The inter SRE communications from the radio modems and the local positions from the GNSS are combined and analysed to provide the spatial relationships within the individual SREs, ie. no centralised functionality required to facilitate measurements or warnings in the first instance!
The geofence parameters are configurable in non-volatile memory allowing modification of the relationship limits and relative activities for each individual RSE. A scenario based software package can be defined for the proposed application, eg. forestry extraction, mine traffic, car rallies, port operations, UAV collision avoidance, wilderness group personal safety etc.
Operation is fully automatic requiring no control or manipulation from the user. The on/off function is operated by internal real time clock or motion sensor making the SRE in a ready state before it is needed and rested when it is not. At rest its battery is charged and all but the time function are switched off. When one of the alarm states are triggered the user is presented with a disruptive audio visual warning to alert him/her. Several levels of peril are analysed to generate a progressive increase in the warning elevating the degree of alarm to eventually trigger a local and network call for immediate assistance and generating a report for archive.
The spatial relationship data is generated by a Swiss Ublox Differentially Corrected GNSS multi constellation receiver coupled to a micro-controller with spatial relationship measuring firmware. The inter SRE communications from the radio modems and the local positions from the GNSS are combined and analysed to provide the spatial relationships within the individual SREs, ie. no centralised functionality required to facilitate measurements or warnings in the first instance!
The geofence parameters are configurable in non-volatile memory allowing modification of the relationship limits and relative activities for each individual RSE. A scenario based software package can be defined for the proposed application, eg. forestry extraction, mine traffic, car rallies, port operations, UAV collision avoidance, wilderness group personal safety etc.
Operation is fully automatic requiring no control or manipulation from the user. The on/off function is operated by internal real time clock or motion sensor making the SRE in a ready state before it is needed and rested when it is not. At rest its battery is charged and all but the time function are switched off. When one of the alarm states are triggered the user is presented with a disruptive audio visual warning to alert him/her. Several levels of peril are analysed to generate a progressive increase in the warning elevating the degree of alarm to eventually trigger a local and network call for immediate assistance and generating a report for archive.
Spatial Relationship Engines
Beech Integrated Technologies manufacture and integrate high quality, high performance products in New Zealand. We are experienced in the visualisation and implementation of radio solutions. Solutions employing the best technology available from world sources. We have 30 years’ experience in import, export and product support with the aid of an international network of like-minded businesses abroad.
Derivative developments of SRE products
DocSat Flightpath - For Real time GNSS recording of spatial relationship and resources/activities with adventure / eco tourism. Protecting the Eco System and optimising resources. ‘DocSat Flightpath’ deployed in NZ for Helicopter overflights of eco sensitive zones and Iconic environments.
See PDF for more information on the DocSat Flightpath.
DocSat Encounter - monitoring human contact with the wild Fauna of New Zealand’s coastline. Recording geospatial data for statistical analysis to manage the impact of tourism on the at risk environment and it’s endangered life forms.
WorkSat - For personal safety in the workplace eg. The forest extraction industry.
RiverWatch - For safety of high speed navigation on rivers, lakes and inshore seaside environs. Also for compliance of regulated navigation in public environs.
SkyWatch - For safety of navigation in uncontrolled airspace.
TetherWatch - For safety of tethered equipment and floating infrastructure in isolated environs.
BeechTrack – Is a tracking application achieved in collaboration with Spot NZ using Earth orbiting infrastructure.
See PDF for more information on the DocSat Flightpath.
DocSat Encounter - monitoring human contact with the wild Fauna of New Zealand’s coastline. Recording geospatial data for statistical analysis to manage the impact of tourism on the at risk environment and it’s endangered life forms.
WorkSat - For personal safety in the workplace eg. The forest extraction industry.
RiverWatch - For safety of high speed navigation on rivers, lakes and inshore seaside environs. Also for compliance of regulated navigation in public environs.
SkyWatch - For safety of navigation in uncontrolled airspace.
TetherWatch - For safety of tethered equipment and floating infrastructure in isolated environs.
BeechTrack – Is a tracking application achieved in collaboration with Spot NZ using Earth orbiting infrastructure.