Soldiers and disaster relief workers are out there in the field exposed to extreme conditions. Their effectiveness relies on fast and correct communications – In respect of the chain of command and the restrictions of power grids and network service.
Infrafon aims to build a platform, where independent software vendors and IT integrators can collaborate to deliver a product system, that can meet the highly demanding needs of forces in the field. Our product ecosystem is constantly evolving and growing together with a network of software producer- and integrator-partners all over the world.
Business process management
Data analysis
Secure check-in identification
Secure messaging
IoT Technologies
Self-Service Terminals
Secure Messaging
Smart accessories
One of the main concerns with military communication is data encryption. Commands and requests need to be read by the respective recipient – not by anybody else. Communication between the command post and the CC1 devices is restricted to a structured REST-API dialog. This dialog uses chip level encryption with the NXP secure element 050 edge lock (EAL6+ certified), CL/MIFARE/Wi-Fi credentials and key storage secured by blockchain.
The other important concern regarding military operations as well as disaster relief is the ability to communicate in areas where there is no power grid or cellphone service provided. The Infrafon system proposes a solution using low power, narrow bandwidth IoT communication systems like NB-IoT or the LoRa-Wan technology. These low power transmitters can easily be installed in the field, fit in every backpack and cover a wide area up to 10km. The CC1 smart badges are able to transmit up to 3km and are mesh enabled.
Effective and reliable information can mean the difference between life and death in certain situations. Using a combination of different networks like LTE-M NB-IoT and LoRa makes the system less vulnerable to errors and interference.
Erik is am member of the Norwegian Long Range Reconnaissance Squadron, he and his team are on a mission to retrieve a crashed pilot near Schoina, behind enemy lines. The know the approximate coordinates, but they still need to comb through a large area of tundra. They arrive with two cars 30 kilometers from the approximate crash and quickly start searching for the plane. After three hours of searching Erik spots the machine, he taps the position option on his badge, and a few minutes later he gets the confirmation from his commander.
Erik is am member of the Norwegian Long Range Reconnaissance Squadron, he and his team are on a mission to retrieve a crashed pilot near Schoina, behind enemy lines. The know the approximate coordinates, but they still need to comb through a large area of tundra. They arrive with two cars 30 kilometers from the approximate crash and quickly start searching for the plane. After three hours of searching Erik spots the machine, he taps the position option on his badge, and a few minutes later he gets the confirmation from his commander.
In a situation where there is no network or an existing network cannot be used, an redundant mobile network consisting of narrowband LTE and LoRa-Wan is set up. The CC1 devices then perform a lookup in a set time interval, checking for messages to save battery and to lower the chance of getting noticed. The device itself is equipped with an e-paper touch screen, displaying a simple interface with dialog and a button to mark the desired outcome. Once this outcome is reached and the button selected, the device sends an encrypted message, containing the geolocation, back to the portable network station using MQTT protocol via LoRa.
In an existing disaster area, a smart badge like the CC1 comes in handy to track positions and retrieve buried people.
Matheo is part of the swiss disaster response team, there has been a landslide covering an inhabited area. Matteo and his colleagues are now required to search for missing persons in the ruins. Despite not expecting another slide, the risk is still acute, especially in the buildings where there is the danger of collapsing structures. Equipped with CC1 smart badges, every one of the team members is being tracked.
If someone would fall or get buried, the CC1 registers the impact and confirms with the user if an accident has happened, if so, it sends an alarm to the base station. At the base station the last position is registered, and the crew is able, once at the respective location to either to send simple structured dialog or use the badge signal to find the exact position of the buried user.
Equipped with GNSS the CC1 is able to send a location update in a set time interval using MQTT protocol either via LoRa or LTE. The Bosch 3-axis accelerometer is constantly measuring impact data and in the case of exceeding a certain preset limit, triggering an alarm sound and displaying a data view to await user confirmation. In case of a real accident, the device starts sending a LoRa Signal for the response team to detect the approximate location.
In an environment where speed and effectiveness are one of the main priorities, granting permission and documentation of it is required to be fast and efficient. Using the CC1 as a tool for digitally documenting command updates is a possible Solution
Private Josef is on a patrol cruiser observing the coastline. He is on the way to his guard duty replacing private Smith. When they meet, they confirm the change of guard slightly tapping the CC1 badges together.
The CC1 is equipped with the NFC NXP NTP5210 and NFC NXP PN7150 and can be used as an active and passive NFC transmitter/receiver (using Mifare Desfire EV2). The reading device then sends an MQTT message to the backend, where the information about the subjects and the time can be stored in a database.
In a quickly-changing environment with weather changes or enemy activity, there is a need for a fast and reliable warning system.
In the meantime, Matheo from the disaster response team is on his mission and is searching the area together with his colleagues for buried people. Suddenly he gets an alarm on his badge, together with a message, that there will be a heavy rainfall coming. Now they need to hurry up before the risk of another landslide gets too high.
In the meantime, Matheo from the disaster response team is on his mission and is searching the area together with his colleagues for buried people. Suddenly he gets an alarm on his badge, together with a message, that there will be a heavy rainfall coming. Now they need to hurry up before the risk of another landslide gets too high.
The CC1 badge, connected to the (portable) backend server, performs a LoRa / LTE lookup every 30sec to check for any updates on the subscribed MQTT alarm message channel. If there is a message pending, it downloads the JSON file and displays it as a data view on the e-paper screen.