TacNet Tracker©: Built-in capabilities for situational awareness

TacNet Trackercopy is a portable wireless computer, developed by Sandia National Laboratories, that provides secure real-time tracking and self-forming connectivity through the integration of uniquely packaged commercial off-the-shelf components and customized software. TacNet Trackercopy is designed to support applications that enhance security and logistics in areas such as homeland security, emergency services, warehousing, transportation and logistics, and the military. It is a lightweight wearable low-cost device that can accommodate a variety of network options, such as mesh radio network or 802.11 wireless. When operated with a mesh network - a mobile ad hoc network that accommodates data speeds up to 6 Mbyte per second - TacNet Trackercopy can provide situational awareness to individuals in the field securely without the need for fixed infrastructure. TacNet Trackercopypsilas current application lets authorized individuals share and display the global positioning system locations of all subscriber devices. TacNet Trackercopy provides the potential for increased situational awareness through numerous other capabilities built right into the unit. Unlike the extensive add-ons required for laptops or personal digital assistants, TacNet Trackercopy offers the following built-in features: (a) Unique combination of the latest XScalereg low-power computing technology with substantial memory footprint and real-time operating system (b) Multiple communication options, such as Bluetooth, Ethernet connections, USB, and JTAG interfaces (c) Capability for voice-over internet protocol This paper details TacNet Trackercopypsilas development path, built-in capabilities, and performance testing, and describes its potential to support a variety of operations, ranging from smoke-jumpers in a wildfire to seaport security. This paper details TacNet Trackercopypsilas development path, built-in capabilities, and performance testing, and describes its potential to support a variety of operations, ranging from smoke-jumpers in a wildfire to seaport security.