Page 10 - ConnectorSupplier.com 2019 Mil/Aero eBook
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Lastly, any discussion of IoT and IoBT applications would almost certainly be incomplete without at least mentioning drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been used by militaries all around the world for a number of years now and are a major microcosm of the IoBT. In February 2018, the United States Army Research Lab awarded $25 million to the Alliance for Internet of Battlefield Things Research on Evolving Intelligent Goal-driven Networks (IoBT REIGN) to develop new predictive battlefield analytics. In September 2018, Asteria Aerospace, a leading manufacturer of surveillance and security drones in India, announced the launch of GenesisTM, an industrial IoT network platform for drones that makes it possible to deploy multiple drones over large areas (e.g., many city blocks or more) and to route the live video feed from all the drones to a central command center in real-time. Decisions made at the command center can then be relayed to drone operators or quick response teams using the same platform to ensure that everyone has the exact same perspective of the operation.
The immense use of drones has even sparked the creation of entirely new business segments. In September 2018, AT&T and Dedrone teamed up on IoT solutions designed to protect against malicious drones. Dedrone detects drones of all kinds, including commercial, consumer, military-grade, and autonomous drones. The software-centric platform uses IoT sensors and LTE connectivity to detect, classify, mitigate, and localize drone- based threats. It identifies approaching drones by means of radio frequency, visual, radar, and other sensor data, rapidly analyzes all the data, reliably classifies approaching drones and pinpoints their locations, and then triggers alarms to alert security staff. The companies have identified myriad uses for their malicious drone solution, but definitely include the military amongst their citied target markets.
Now that IoBT technology has begun to proliferate, it’s also important to have ruggedly sealed high-speed, and high-reliability cable assemblies capable of transmitting data in outdoor and other harsh environments. Ethernet connectors are another important supporting technology for IoBT applications and can support in-field military computing applications including the processing of drone-derived data. One such solution is Stewart Connector’s Series S-RJ45TV D38999 Connectors, which are especially designed to provide Ethernet connectivity in harsh environments. The series features a rugged shell based on D38999 shells, but with a unique design that reduces the footprint to the market’s smallest, Size 17. It also employs high-performance RJ45 connections that reliably transmit 1G Base-T Ethernet, IP68 sealing, EMI protection, and four keyways to ensure proper mating in even challenging conditions, and is rated for a minimum of 500-cycle durability and available in multiple shell and plating materials.
     Stewart Connector’s Harsh-Environment Series S-RJFTV 38999 Connectors are ideal for remote outdoor Ethernet applications, like in-field military computing.
The IoBT moves technology and devices often initially designed for use in controlled environments into harsher and less predictable environments. IoBT applications such as wearables, satellites, and drones must deliver consistent, high-reliably operation in a wide variety of harsh environments where they may be subjected to hazards including intense shock and vibration, extreme temperatures, rough handling, pressure changes, and exposure to dust, dirt, water, weather, chemicals. To effectively withstand these conditions, IoBT electronics must be extremely robust, as a malfunction in this application area could result in mission failure, significant investments required to repair or replace a system, and even risk to human lives.
Interconnects directly contribute to the size, weight, reliability, ruggedness, and overall performance of end devices, and are thus critical components in all of these systems. As such, connector and cable manufacturers have a major role to play in the continued proliferation and success of the IoBT and are tackling the unique
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