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OPTIMARE Systems GmbH

Am Luneort 15a27572 BremerhavenGermanyTel. +49 471 48361-0Fax +49 471 48361-11info@optimare.dewww.optimare.de

For further information on the MEDUSA Systemyou are welcome to contact us.

May 2013Subject to technical changes and misprints

MEDUSAYour mission system for airborne maritime surveillance

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MEDUSAAdvanced Data Acquisition and Processing

for Airborne Maritime Surveillance

APPLICATION Airborne maritime surveillance

Airborne oil spill monitoring

EEZ protection

Border patrol

Fishery patrol

Hydrographic monitoring

FEATURES

Mission planning

Real-time display of sensor data

Immediate post-overpass analysis

Support of any remote sensor

Classification of marine pollution

Automated scene analysis

Computer-aided report creation

Geo-referencing and GIS capability In-flight and ground processing

Display of electronic charts

Redundant storage

AIS support

The MEDUSA System allows robust acquisition, real-time dis-play as well as immediate post-overflight processing of remotesensing data. Post-overflight processing includes automatedimage analysis, pollution classification and GIS export.

Spanish maritime surveillance aircraft of Casa CN-235 type equip-ped with OPTIMAREs MEDUSA system as a subsystem of the EADSFITS system (Photograph courtesy of AIRBUS MILITARY).

Overview

The optimum operation of an airborne maritime surveil-lance system is more demanding than ever requiring en-

hanced real-time data acquisition and software solutions.

The MEDUSA System integrates multiple remote sensors andmission system components into one user-friendly, network-based data acquisition and processing framework.

The entire MEDUSA System roughly comprises the fol-lowing structural components:

MEDUSA network

MEDUSA sensors

MEDUSA Software Suite

MEDUSA can be either operated stand-alone or as a sur-veillance subsystem of an integrated mission system via

a customizable interface.

MEDUSA screen showing the professional marine navigational chartsystem with AIS objects in conjunction with an enhanced AIS filter tool.

One of two German maritime surveillance aircraft of Do228 type.The aircraft carries OPTIMAREs MEDUSA system in stand-aloneconfiguration.

MEDUSA as a network of sensors

The MEDUSA System can incorporate any type of remotesensor, like for example electro-optical scanners, cam-eras, radar systems, infrared imagers, lidar systems, andimaging radiometers. Moreover, other mission systemcomponents like AIS, Direction Finder and communica-tion systems are integrable as well.

Each of the sensors integrated into the MEDUSA networkis administrated by an individual sensor processor which(1) digitizes and stores the data on an internal buffer,(2) attaches time stamps to the data and (3) transfersthe time-referenced data via fiber optic network to thedatabase of the central mission computer.

The central mission computer stores the data and pro-vides time information as well as display and operatinginterfaces. Sensor management, on-line visualizationand data analysis is facilitated by graphical user inter-face (GUI). Due to redundant data storage on both thesensor processor and the database of the central missioncomputer a high reliability is achieved.

The MEDUSA system supports various EO/IR systems.

A typical MEDUSA network of sensors used for airborne maritimesurveillance.

The MEDUSA Software SuiteThe MEDUSA Software Suite is the software componentof OPTIMAREs network-based data acquisition and pro-cessing system MEDUSA. It is used for sensor control aswell as for real-time visualization and post-overpass pro-cessing of sensor data. The analysis part of the softwarecan be used for both in-flight and ground processing ofthe data.

Basic tools for analysis of remote sensing data are

display of remotely sensed data

colorbar adjustment

tagging of geo markers

distance measurements

bearing measurements

manual polygon drawing

export to various file formats

(e.g. GeoTIFF, ESRI Shapefile and more)

The amount of available built-in features is generallycustomizable and desired additional features can beadded according to the customers application.

SATCOM

AIS

Digital VideoCamera

Digital StillCamera

Anti-pollutionsubsystem

EO/IR

CentralMission

Computer

MissionDatabase

NAV

CentralInterface

UnitDVVR

Direction

Finder

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessors

NetworkSwitch

SearchRadarSensor

Processor

FMS

MissionDisplay Unit

Cockpitmonitor

Videosignals

Multi-FunctionOperator

Console

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessor

SATCOM

AIS

Digital VideoCamera

Digital StillCamera

Anti-pollutionsubsystem

EO/IR

CentralMission

Computer

MissionDatabase

NAV

CentralInterface

UnitDVVR

Direction

Finder

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessors

NetworkSwitch

SearchRadarSensor

Processor

FMS

MissionDisplay Unit

Cockpitmonitor

Videosignals

Multi-FunctionOperator

Console

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessor

SensorProcessor

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Depending on the respective MEDUSA configuration the

software suite includes basic functionalities, but also ad-vanced and more specialized capabilities like

mission planning

display of electronic charts

classification of marine pollution based on laser fluo-

rosensor data

measurement of oil thickness and volume based on

microwave radiometer data computer-aided creation of pollution reports

The three latter capabilities are typical of the oil spillmonitoring configuration of MEDUSA.

Fusion of multi-sensor oil spill data by means of the Oil Spill SceneAnalysis System (OSSAS).

Georeferenced data acquired by the OPTIMARE IR/UV Line Scanner.

MEDUSA screen showing live Maritime Patrol Radar and EO/IR video.

A further special software tool is OPTIMAREs Oil SpillScene Analysis System (OSSAS). OSSAS is a sub-com-ponent of the MEDUSA Software Suite in the completemaritime pollution surveillance configuration. As an ad-vanced tool for automated analysis of oil spill data is itis capable of

extracting features from IR/UV oil spill imagery (likethe area of the oil spill, its cente r of area, its principaldirection, and specific size parameters)

creating segment maps and associated polygons ofthe most important areas of an oil spill, i.e., the oil-covered area as well as the area of intermediate andlarge oil thickness

merging multi-sensor oil spill data into a single com-posite thickness map; creating thematic maps of theoil spill scene

The automated interpretation and fusion of multi-source

pollution data solves a general difficulty: the use of multi-sensor systems is often associated with the problem thatthe system operator is subject to work overload. This iscertainly the case if multiple imaging sensors are operatedat the same time by a single operator. The problem getscritical if operation is carried out by untrained personnel asthe workload is composed of demanding tasks like sensorcontrol, data interpretation and interactive analysis. OSSAS

prevents the system operator from being overwhelmed bythe incoming flow of multi-source information.

To aid navigation and to assess the tactical situation atsea an Electronic Navigational Chart System has beenintegrated into the MEDUSA Software Suite. Its basicfeatures are:

Display of different charts available for the regions ofinterest

Marking the desired and real flight track in the chartdisplay

Insertion of user defined targets and way points intothe chart

Integration of customer specific maps

All provisions for route and mission planning are in-stalled. Mission planning includes

insertion of waypoints

creation and modification of flight plans

import of satellite imagery, e.g. radar (SAR) satelliteimagery of oil spills

inclusion of existing tactical mission data, e.g., geo-markers, tracks, polygons

import of flight plans from aircrafts Flight Manage-ment System via ARINC

matching of flight plan with actual aircraft track

Portuguese maritime surveillance aircraft of Casa C-295 type equippedwith OPTIMAREs MEDUSA system as a subsystem of the EADS FITS

system (Photograph courtesy of AIRBUS MILITARY).

The Side-looking Airborne Radar of SLAR 9000 type from TERMAA/S is fully integrated with the MEDUSA system.

Side-looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) data displayed by the MEDUSASoftware Suite (waterfall and mapping mode).

Mission system components

A mission system suite encompasses a customized set ofsensors and auxiliary mission system components. Thisincludes units for sensing, processing and communica-tion. Mission system control as well as real-time visuali-zation and post-processing of sensor data are performedby means of the MEDUSA Software Suite. The softwareis part of the central mission computer.

SLAR

The Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) is the basic sensorfor wide-coverage surveillance of the sea surface. SLAR isa cloud-penetrating X-band radar technique of real ap-erture type which works according to the airborne linescanning principle. Due to the typical pulse emission char-acteristics of the radar pulses the SLAR offers outstandingimaging capabilities allowing a highly sensitive detection

of surface targets, like e.g. vessels, people and oil spills.Moreover, the SLAR is the primary tool for wide-coverageoil spill detection and is thus a part of the anti-pollutionsubsystem of the mission system.

Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) antenna of the NetherlandsCoast Guard maritime surveillance aircraft of Do228 type.

The MEDUSA mission system features full integration ofthe SLAR 9000 Sensor from Terma A/S, Denmark. Theacquired SLAR data are stored on a central mission database and visualized in real time as a standard slidingdisplay. Post-overpass analysis is made possible throughthe MEDUSA Software Suite. Moreover SLAR data aredisplayed as a map overlay in the mapping mode of aproprietary multi-layer GIS software also allowing for in-

tegration with satellite data.

EO/IR

EO/IR devices are used for identification and documenta-

tion during day and night. The multi-channel EO/IR data

can be displayed on monitors for operators and flightcrew. The EO/IR system can be slaved to sensors like theSurveillance Radar or the Direction Finder. All data arerecorded in the MEDUSA system.

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EOIR images of a vessel.

IR/UV Line Scanner

IR/UV line scanners have been established as standard

tools for airborne mapping of oil spills. They are capableof mapping the total extent of the oil spill as well asareas of intermediate and large oil layer thickness. TheOPTIMARE IR/UV Line Scanner is fully integrated with theMEDUSA mission system.

OPTIMARE IR/UV Line Scanner.

VIS Line Scanner

VIS line scanners are auxiliary tools for various airborneremote sensing applications. In maritime surveillancethe system is used for acquisition of highly resolved geo-

referenced Red/Green/Blue composite images. The OPTI-MARE VIS Line Scanner is optimized to interface to theMEDUSA system.

OPTIMARE VIS Line Scanner.

Search Radar

The 360 Search Radar is a sensor for conducting mis-sions like marine surveillance, fishery patrol, border pa-trol, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) protection. TheSearch Radar is fully integrated with the data manage-

ment and tactical map display of MEDUSA.

AIS

The MEDUSA mission system supports full integrationof the Automatic Identification System (AIS) maritimebroadcast technique. AIS provides real-time information(geo-position, identity and others) on vessels in the sur-vey area.

Maritime VHF Radio & SATCOM

For communication with shore bases and ships as well

as for relay of data and reports the MEDUSA mission sys-tem includes support of different broadcast techniques,

like maritime radio or SATCOM communication link.

The search radar of RDR 1700B type from Telephonics is integratedwith the MEDUSA system.

MEDUSA features support of e.g. the Saab TransponderTech R4AAIS system.

A 360 free rotatable and gyro stabilized turret contains

cameras delivering video data from the infrared and vis-ible spectrum. The EO/IR system allows a precise searchin narrow field of view. The various functions of the FLIRlike zoom, azimuth and elevation line of sight are eithercontrolled by means of a system control unit or by slav-ing to another sensor.

Search & Rescue Direction Finder

The Direction Finder (DF) system provides bearing infor-mation on radio transmitters and allows analysis of theCOSPAS/SARSAT emergency information.

Bearing information can be displayed to the flight crewand via the MEDUSA system also to the operators. Bearinginformation can also be used to enslave the EO system.

Camera Systems

The MEDUSA mission system supports various types ofstill and video cameras. Image and video data are auto-

matically geo- and time-referenced and stored togetherwith other types of mission metadata in the recordingsystem.

Ground Segment & Web-based GIS

The OPTIMARE Ground Segment is the ground-basedcentral for post-processing, archiving and distribution ofmission data.

The ground segment is based on the same post process-ing software which is also installed on the airborne seg-ment for in-flight post-processing of mission data. Addi -tionally, the ground segment includes a r edundant quickaccess archive system and a web-based geographicalinformation system (GIS) service which allows the web-based protected access to mission data.

Derived data products and raw data can be easily re-layed by satellite communication (SATCOM) or directdata downlink to response vessels or shore-based situa-tion centres. These data products can be further distrib-uted along with satellite and in-situ data using the web-based GIS service which is a modern aspect in marinecrisis management.

The OPTIMARE Microwave Radiometer is a three frequency linescanning microwave imager for detection of very thick oil spill areasand as such a unique system.

The MEDUSA system supports various types of digital still and videocameras.

The Laser Fluorosensor (LFS) is an airborne fluorescencelidar for airborne detection and remote classification ofcrude oils, petroleum products and specific chemicalsspilled at sea. The LFS by OPTIMARE is fully integratedwith the MEDUSA mission system.

The OPTIMARE Laser Fluorosensor is a unique system for operatio-nal remote classification of marine pollution.

User interface of the web-based GIS service.

Advanced Oil Spill Sensors

Besides line scanners of IR/UV and VIS type OPTIMARE offersthe Microwave Radiometer (MWR) and the Laser Fluorosen-sor as two advanced sensors for oil spill detection.

The Microwave Radiometer (MWR) is capable of detect-ing and mapping oil layers exceeding a thickness of 0.05millimeters Furthermore this system is capable of meas-uring and mapping oil layer thickness in the range from

0.05 to 3 millimeters.