Berkut Systems has developed a system enabling the US Army to assess the mobility of soldiers under various configurations.

In the past there was no real way to analytically assess whether some new addition to a soldiers pack was detrimental to his mobility in a battlefield environment.

With the development of the Mobility Assessment System, the US Army now has a tool they can use to make comparisons in the mobility of soldiers as they're outfitted with different packs - carrying different equipment into battle.

For example - it is now possible to assess the differences in the mobility of a soldier when outfitted with one version of night vision goggle as opposed to another brand of night vision goggle.

What follows is a partial list of the system capabilities:

A. The system implements RFID technology to monitor combatant progress through an obstacle course, capable of monitoring up to 16 discreet monitoring points per "unit".

B. The system is built on the concept of using expansion "units", where users can monitor an additional 16 discreet points by merely adding another "unit" to the grid. Any number of units can be added, enabling users to monitor any number of discreet points. Additional units are automatically detected and integrated into the overall system as they're added - all configuration is done automatically.

C. Individual units communicate with a master database via wireless technology. The system uses three types of networking as backups in event of a failure of another connection path. The system makes use of a Wireless Access Point (WAP), or it can use the "Ad-hoc" network access, or the units can be connected via any existing network - including the internet.

D. The system provides users with the ability to write specific tracking information into the transponders - not limited to use of a read-only transponder.

E. The system features an "auto-detect" function, which automatically detects the presence of the RFID components and automatically configures the software for capability with the hardware.

F. The system enables data analysis's to review the times collected by the system. Users can select any number of points to include in the comparisons - for example lets assume you are monitoring 10 discreet points. The system enables you to analyze the times between any number of pairs of points - i.e. points 1/10, points 2/3, points 4/5, points 2/7 ..... Or any other conceivable pair combination. The system will inform you if the data does not support the pair combinations you're asking for.

G. The data exported by the system is compatible with the SPSS statistical analysis system.

H. The system archives all data retrieved, enabling a person to analyze data recorded at any time in the past, and compare it to current times.

I. The system incorporates a fully functional database, enabling a user to track participants, assign transponders to individuals, and keep track of any other information related to participants.

J. In addition to exporting the results, the system also provides users with the ability to export the contents of the primary database. The exported data can be imported into other analysis packages, including Microsoft products such as Access or Excel.

K. The system has an antenna tuning capability integrated into the system, enabling users to tune antennas as part of the system setup.

L. Since data integrity is important, all data received by the system is saved in two formats to guarantee no data loss in the event of a system outage due to a power failure.

M. The system has minimal power requirements, and requires no high-end computer for the processing. The system will run on any computer running XP, NT, or Windows 2000.

There are other features of the system, but that's enough to get an idea of some of the capabilities / features.

With the Mobility Assessment System (MAS), the US Army is now able to make smarter purchases from competing vendors, comparing not only price, but the overall impact to the mobility of a soldier. Increased mobility translates into more flexibility in a high stress environment, which translates into a more effective soldier - with the obvious advantages of a soldier better equipped for the task at hand..

Berkut Systems is proud to be a part of a team supporting the troops deployed overseas.

Click here for more information about the Mobility Assessment System.