User's Manual

3 System Components

The MicroObserver system consists of two (2) primary pieces of hardware, the

MicroObserver Sensor Node, MO-1045, and the Maestro Gateway, M-100.

MicroObserver Sensor Nodes have two primary functions, to detect intruders and

communicate with the network. The sensors employ seismic transducers to detect both

dismounted personnel and vehicles (Vehicle Detection & Classification will be integrated in

2Q 2007). Seismic activity is measured and evaluated at the sensor with potential valid

detections sent to the hub via a 2.4 GHz wireless connection which then relays the

information wirelessly to the Maestro Gateway.

The Maestro Gateway is the wireless communications bridge between the sensor field and

the user’s C4I System. Potential detections received from the sensors are evaluated at the

gateway and, if validated, are passed to the C4I system via either Ethernet or RS-232 (RS-

232 will be integrated in the future).

Detections are validated at the Maestro Gateway through the use of a tracker. The tracker is

a unique software feature that, with correlated detections on 3 separate nodes, will form a

track indicating the direction, speed and time of a potential threat. When vehicle detection is

added in 2007 production, the threat will further be identified as either a person or a light or

heavy vehicle.

System Operation

4.1 Sensor Start-up Procedure & Deployment

The MicroObserver sensors were designed for ease of set-up and deployment. The nodes are

MicroObserver will not operate properly with rechargeable batteries. Batteries are

installed by opening the small door located on the long side of the sensor node (side adjacent

to the threaded mount for the spike). It may be necessary to gently pry open the door with

the tip of a ground spike. Batteries are installed directly into a battery holder with the + and

– terminals as depicted on the holder. The holder is keyed such that it will allow only the

proper orientation of the battery holder when it is installed into the sensor, as shown in

Figure 2.