PRCI

Recent Results

Right-of-way Automated Monitoring (RAM) System Architecture and Concept of Operations

PRCI completed a comprehensive document that describes the Right-of-way Automated Monitoring (RAM) system architecture and concept of operations, or CONOPS.  It is intended to be a living document and will be updated and revised as the RAM program progresses.  Under the RAM program, technologies for detecting heavy machinery threats, leaks, and physical changes are being evaluated, developed, and integrated into a system suitable for deployment on light aircraft. While these technologies and systems are being developed to support the energy pipeline transportation industry, they may be extended to other industries as appropriate.  In this report, the system requirements, performance parameters, and assumptions used to develop the system architecture are listed, and the methodology and rationale for the system architecture are explained. Extension of the system architecture to include unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and satellites, as well as development of operational concepts that include those observation platforms, is anticipated as a future effort.

In developing the RAM system architecture and operational concept, a variety of technology trade-offs were studied and cost/benefit comparisons made. Examples include camera requirements for threat detection (still vs. video; resolution; shutter speed; commercial availability; gimbal-mounted vs. fixed to aircraft), locus of data processing (on-board vs. ground-based), response latency (real-time vs. post-flight), and communications requirements. Details of these analyses are included in the body of the report.

Key Results

A key finding of this analysis is that the response time requirement is a major driver of system cost and complexity.  Requiring “near real time” capability dictates on-board processing and more sophisticated airborne communications links, whereas post-flight processing of the sensor data mitigates the complexity of the on-aircraft system. The response time requirements for threat, leak and change detection may not be equal, but interrelationships arising from the system architecture (e.g. if change detection is used as a pre-filter to threat or leak detection) can strongly influence the implementation requirements. Thus, the requirements, performance parameters, and cost impacts/trade-offs associated with the system’s response time should be reviewed and validated with the RAM Stakeholders.

An additional finding is that a fleet-wide operations analysis, for both piloted and unmanned systems, should be conducted to determine the implications for the system architecture, operational concepts, and operational costs; within the United States, stringent Federal Aviation Administration requirements on unmanned aircraft operations in the U.S. National Airspace System are a significant issue. These analyses should also include operations outside the United States, as differences in infrastructure and regulations are likely to have significant impact on the RAM system.

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