San Diego Fire Rescue (Air Operation) and Anokiwave Inc.

1
San Diego Fire Rescue (Air Operation) and
Anokiwave Inc. Accident Avoidance in Helicopter
Rescue Operation Group 10 Presentation Week 1
2
PROJECT MEMBERS

• GROUP 10
• WALTER SWASDIBUTRA
• RICARDO RODRIGUEZ
• BOA NGO
• MENTORS
• NITIN JAIN
• STEVE VANDEWALLE

3
AGENDA

• SPONSORS
• PROJECT BACKGROUND
• PROJECT GOAL
• DEVICE REQUIREMENT IMPLEMENTATION
• GANTT CHART
• STATEMENT OF WORK
• SUMMARY

4
SPONSORS

• Anokiwave
• Offers analysis, design and manufacturing
  consulting services for RF, microwave and mm-wave
  circuits.
• Goal  To provide products using EM simulators,
  system simulations and modern microwave circuit
  design methods.
• San Diego Fire-Rescue - Air Operation
• A department of SD fire department which uses a
  helicopter to respond to a variety of air
  supported rescue operations in San Diego.
• Victims can be flown to a safe and viable
  location for further transportation to medical
  facilities via a ground or air ambulance (Mercy
  Air).
• Air supported rescue operations

5
PROJECT BACKGROUND

• Rescue Procedure
• Rescue helicopter locates victim on terrain
• Hoist Rescue operations from a rotor wing
  platform represent a huge asset to rescue
  response.
• The ability to deliver Advanced Life Support to
  any patient in any situation without delay
  outweighs the considerable risks involved.
• The hoist operator must simultaneously direct the
  pilot, and operate the hoist. Looking straight
  down over 200 feet of cable to deliver a rescuer
  straight down to the ground as rapidly as
  possible is very challenging. The rescuer then
  gives a hand signal when 10' from the ground so
  the hoist operator can slow the descent.
• The hand signal is not always visible. Dust,
  obstructions, or a quick glance away by the hoist
  operator can impede hand communications. Also,
  when the hook is sent down empty to retrieve the
  rescuer and victim, the rescuer may not be in a
  position to signal the operator.
• Rescuer radios when done, and then clips
  himself/victim on cable and is then raised up and
  swung back into the helicopter

6
PROJECT GOAL

• A device that signaled the hoist operator and
  pilot to a 10 feet proximity in the form of a
  simple light mounted on the hoist would be a
  valuable tool. It would be even more valuable if
  it blinked or changed color within 5 feet of the
  ground. Another option would be for the light to
  blink slowly at 10 feet then more rapidly as it
  approached contact with the ground.
• To design a wireless battery device that relays
  cable distance from the ground to crew chief and
  pilot in helicopter.
• This would reduce human error when giving the
  hand signal and is vital when dust or other
  obstacles impede the line-of-sight to the
  rescuer.

7
REQUIREMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION

• Requirements
• Lightweight (lt1 pound)
• Waterproof
• Self powered
• Shielded from static discharge
• It would have to work with or without a rescuer
  on the hook
• It must not interfere with existing helicopter
  navigation equipment
• Implementation
• Radar system that detects ground distance from
  sensor
• Cylindrical device with 6 diameter and 2
  height, which fits snugly above hook on 3/16
  cable, powered by 2 - 9V batt.
• Must have lighting system for visibility at night
• Wirelessly transmits data to a receiver on hoist,
  next to crew chief operator

8
GANTT CHART
9
STATEMENT OF WORK

• We have agreed with San Diego Fire Rescue (Air
  Operation) and Anokiwave Inc. to produce a
  working prototype of an accident avoidance device
  that will replace current rubber bumper attached
  to cable
• ADFR (AO) will provide technical data about the
  hoist and helicopter, while Anokiwave will fund
  the project and provide technical expertise.
• Project Phases Hours
• Study and Research 20
• Design 30
• Ordering Parts 5
• Construction 20
• Testing 20
• Device Revision 20
• Working Demonstration 3
• Deliverables
• Working prototype of device
• Final report and presentation

10
EVENTS/TASKS

• Past Week
• Clear definition of device purpose and
  requirements
• Toured helicopter and hoist operations at
  Montgomery Field
• Next Week
• Obtain device specification
• Budget
• Research stud detectors
• Plan for school demonstration
• Technical meeting Wednesday with Mentor