IoT Framework for Modern Battlefield : Implementation of Soldiers Health Integration for Enhanced Location Deployment (SHIELD) System

Battlefield awareness is the ability of military forces to collect, analyse, and comprehend real-time information of the battlefield and it enables commanders to make well-informed decisions. The soldier is the most critical element in the tactical battlefield. Their potential to fight and ability to provide valuable battlefield information needs to be enhanced. This paper presents an implementation of an Internet of Things (IoT) architecture designed for monitoring soldiers’ health and acquiring real-time battlefield data. The system, named Soldiers Health Integration for Enhanced Location Deployment (SHIELD), integrates a comprehensive range of biometric and environmental sensors. These sensors monitor not only the physiological parameters of the soldiers but also critical aspects of the battlefield. Portable and designed for long-range functionality with low power consumption, the SHIELD system incorporates key IoT technologies and biometric sensors in a wearable device. This device facilitates seamless communication and data exchange between the soldier and a centralised command centre. Emphasis is placed on achieving low-latency and high-reliability data transmission to enable real-time monitoring and prompt decision-making.