Communications vehicle

• US 8,789,261 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2010
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Clifton, Christopher, Jones, Dean L., Mitchell, Philip S., Myers, David, Pruett, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kue, Kaying
• Application Number:
  US12/696,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20110235303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,642 Days
• Field of Search: 298/25, 298/31, 298/32, 298/42, 296/00, 296/01, 298/68, 343711-716, 361/600, 361/724, 361/730, 361/752, 521/10, 521/21, 174/59, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 312/300, 312/324
• US Class Current: 29/601
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1235 Collapsible supports; Means for erecting a rigid antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0004 comprising several parts forming a closed casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49959 Nonresilient fastener

Abstract

A vehicle is provided that includes a shelter thereon that includes electronics therein. The shelter includes ports on the exterior thereof that permit data and power exchange between the vehicle and another similarly configured vehicle. The vehicle further includes dedicated wiring raceways that separate wiring having different uses.

Claims

1. A method of expanding a communications array including the steps of:

providing a first shelter on a first vehicle frame, the first shelter including a first radio therein and a first signal interface accessible from the exterior of the first shelter, the first radio providing a plurality of communication channels, the first signal interface further comprising a first radio frequency transmitting signal input interface and a first radio frequency transmitting signal output interface, the first signal interface further including a first power input interface and a second power output interface, the first signal interface further including a first data input interface and a first data output interface, wherein said first shelter further includes a first, second, and third cabling each disposed within one of a first plurality of cabling raceways coupled to said first shelter, wherein said first cabling is adapted for carrying a radio frequency transmitting signal to an antenna and said first radio frequency transmitting signal output interface, said second cabling is adapted for carrying non-radio frequency data transmitting signals, said third cabling is adapted for alternating current and direct current transmitting signals, each of said first plurality of raceways is separated from each other by a predetermined distance adapted to prevent or reduce electromagnetic interference between each of said respective cabling;

providing a second shelter on a second vehicle frame, the second shelter including a second radio therein and a second signal interface accessible from the exterior of the second shelter, the second radio providing a plurality of communication channels, the second signal interface further comprising a second radio frequency transmitting signal input interface and a second radio frequency transmitting signal output interface the second signal interface further including a second power input interface and a second power output interface, the second signal interface further including a second data input interface and a second data output interface, wherein said second shelter further includes a third, fourth, and fifth cabling each disposed within a second plurality of cabling raceways coupled to said second shelter, wherein said fourth cabling is adapted for carrying a radio frequency transmitting signal to an antenna, said fifth cabling is adapted for carrying non-radio frequency data transmitting signals, said sixth cabling is adapted for alternating current and direct current transmitting signals, each of said first plurality of raceways is separated from each other by a predetermined distance adapted to prevent or reduce electromagnetic interference between each of said respective cabling;

providing a power generator having a generator power output;

providing a plurality of interconnect cables comprising a first, second, third, and fourth interconnect cabling;

coupling said generator power output to the first power input interface of the first shelter such that the power generator provides power to electronics, including said first radio, housed within the first shelter using said first interconnect cable;

coupling the first power output interface of the first shelter to the second power input interface of the second shelter using said second interconnect cable to provide power to electronics, including said second radio, housed within the second shelter;

coupling the first radio frequency transmitting signal output interface with the second radio frequency transmitting signal input interface using said third interconnect cable to selectively provide said radio transmitting signals to electronics, including said second radio, housed within the second shelter;

coupling the first data output interface with said second data input interface using said fourth interconnect cable to provide data connections between the electronics in the first and second shelters using said fourth interconnect cable; and

controlling all provided communications channels to said second radio with the first radio through at least one of said second, third, or fourth interconnect cable;

wherein said power input interfaces and said power output interfaces are respectively coupled to each other as well as said third cabling within said shelter said power interfaces are mounted within, said power interfaces are further adapted to enable said power to pass into each respective said power input interface and out of each said respective power output interface so as to supply all power needs of said second shelter coupled to said first power output interface.

2. A method of expanding a communications array as in claim 1, wherein said first and second radio comprises a high frequency radio.

3. A method of powering a vehicle array including the steps of:

providing a first vehicle having a frame and a first shelter supported on the frame, the first shelter including a first power input interface and a first power output interface, said first shelter further including a plurality of cabling raceways and a first, second, and third cabling, wherein said first cabling is adapted for carrying a radio frequency transmitting signal to an antenna, said second cabling is adapted for carrying non-radio frequency data transmitting signals, said third cabling is adapted for alternating current and direct current transmitting signals, wherein each said cabling is disposed in a different one of said plurality of raceways, each of said raceways is separated from each other by a predetermined distance adapted to prevent interference between each of said cabling;

providing a second vehicle having a frame and a second shelter supported on the frame, the second shelter including a second power input interface and a second power output interface, said second shelter further including a plurality of cabling raceways and a first, second, and third cabling, wherein said first cabling is adapted for carrying a radio frequency transmitting signal to an antenna, said second cabling is adapted for carrying non-radio frequency data transmitting signals, said third cabling is adapted for alternating current and direct current transmitting signals, wherein each said cabling is disposed in a different one of said plurality of raceways, each of said raceways is separated from each other by a predetermined distance adapted to prevent interference between each of said cabling;

providing a power generator having a generator power output;

coupling the generator power output of the power generator to the first power input interface of the first vehicle such that the power generator provides power to electronics housed within the first shelter;

coupling the second power output interface of the first shelter to the power input interface of the second shelter to provide power to electronics housed within the second shelter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein power is provided to the second shelter exclusively via the power output interface of the first shelter.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the power generator is coupled to a mobile frame configured to be towed by the first vehicle.

6. A method of transporting a communications array including the steps of:

providing a first vehicle having a frame and a first shelter supported on the frame at a first location, the first shelter including plurality of communications devices therein, the communications devices being coupled to each other and to a signal interface disposed on the first shelter, the signal interface providing a plurality of ports that are accessible on the exterior of the first shelter, said first shelter further including a plurality of cabling raceways and a first, second, and third cabling, wherein said first cabling is adapted for carrying a radio frequency transmitting signal to an antenna, said second cabling is adapted for carrying non-radio frequency data transmitting signals, said third cabling is adapted for alternating current and direct current transmitting signals, wherein each said cabling is disposed in a different one of said plurality of raceways, each of said raceways is separated from each other by a predetermined distance adapted to prevent interference between each of said cabling;

providing a second vehicle having a frame and a second shelter supported on the frame at the first location, the second shelter including plurality of communications devices therein, the communications devices being coupled to each other and to a signal interface disposed on the second shelter, the signal interface providing a plurality of ports that are accessible on the exterior of the second shelter, said second shelter further including a plurality of cabling raceways and a first, second, and third cabling, wherein said first cabling is adapted for carrying a radio frequency transmitting signal to an antenna, said second cabling is adapted for carrying non-radio frequency data transmitting signals, said third cabling is adapted for alternating current and direct current transmitting signals, wherein each said cabling is disposed in a different one of said plurality of raceways, each of said raceways is separated from each other by a predetermined distance adapted to prevent interference between each of said cabling;

providing interconnect cables that interface with the signal interfaces of the first and second shelters to provide data connections between the plurality of electronics in the first and second shelters;

uncoupling the interconnect cables from the first and second shelters;

driving the first and second vehicles to a second location; and

coupling the interconnect cables to the signal interfaces of the first and second shelters to provide data connections between the plurality of electronics in the first and second shelters at the second location.

7. The method of claim 6, further including the steps of:

uncoupling power cables coupled between the first and second shelters before the step of driving the first and second vehicles to a second location; and

coupling power cables between the first and second shelters at the second location.