RuBee Smart Weapons

A RuBee tag is embedded into the weapon. All weapons tags provide full wireless visibility on a Smart Rack, five to fifteen year battery, optional shot counting sensors for advanced weapons maintenance.

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RuBee Tags Provide Real-Time Weapon Status and Visibility
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Custom RuBee tags are designed to fit into each weapon. Each tag has a full two-way RuBee data link, a 5-15 year battery, static memory, a microprocessor and optional shot counting sensors. Visible has designed several full custom integrated circuits (IC), that use advanced patented signal processing methods and low power wireless communication based on IEEE 1902.1. These custom IC designs make it possible to integrate complex functions into tiny physical package so that it can be embedded in most small arms. The tags provide critical performance data, and advanced diagnostic data, over the wireless data link. The RuBee enabled smart weapons provide four key functions:


  • Weapons Visibility: Full weapons visibility within an area or armory physical inventory, ATF audits, as well as wireless check-in/out of weapons, and wireless weapon exit/entry detection and management. The armory visibility systems and the diagnostic data are integrated into the armory 20/20 Oracle based weapons management application that manages a RuBee network of weapons tags on Smart Racks.

  • Rounds Counting: Simple Rounds management functions consisting of several registers that provide tabulated total rounds fired from a weapon using an accelerometer sensor embedded in the RuBee tag.

  • Mean Kinetic Shots: An optional second set of registers that tracks an advanced wear factor known as Mean Kinetic Shots (MKS) based on calculated barrel temperature, and first order and second interval statistics on total rounds fired.

  • Advanced Key Performance Indicators: Real-time advanced weapon preventive diagnostics using weapon specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) specific and custom to the weapon. KPIs derived from the calibration described


The chart below lists all current weapons supported. Maintenance features for most weapons will be added as requested.
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Weapon tags are designed to be retrofitted into the weapon in the field, or supplied with new weapons. Tags can be designed so it is difficult or impossible to remove once installed.



Reading and Writing Data Stored in the Tag
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RuBee weapon tags have static memory that can be allocated to a variety of data fields. Each tag has an IP address similar to your laptop, a subnet address linked to asset class, a fixed MAC address, tied to the tag, and data tied to the weapon. The weapon data can include serial number or BATF number, manufacture date, and the manufacturer, etc. These data fields may be defined and changed by the administrative end user in armory 20/20, or with the pRap (see below).


All data once stored and defined in the tag may be automatically read and written when the weapon is placed on the Smart Rack. Reads are fully automated, and controlled by Dot-Tag and armory 20/20 application. Data may be read and written as well via tag programming features in armory 20/20. Data may also be read and written via the pRap, Visible's RuBee enabled handheld.

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Data stored in the Tag may be programed or read using a Personal RuBee Access Point (pRap). The pRap, has a PDA touch screen interface, based on the Apple iTouch. The pRap has a full two way IEEE 1902.1 data link and an optional 1D barcode reader. The pRap is ruggedized and can optionally meet MIL-STD-810g. Visible provides a variety of simple pRap programs that capture tag data and transfers to armory 20/20 system. pRap has optional WiFi data links, as well as a conventional USB port.



Security Issues
Because the RuBee signal drops off 1/R to the 3rd power it has minimal eavesdropping risk. In contrast, RF drops off 1/R and that means it is possible to eavesdrop on RF signals many miles away from the source. RuBee signals sink into deep space noise and can not be monitored much past the tag range no matter how expensive the listening device. That provides a very high level of security with no eavesdropping risk (see Whitepaper, see Slides). RuBee also minimizes any tempest or target risks for the same reasons. In addition to the physical security layer, Visible has developed a system, called Zero Field Detectability (ZFD) that provides high tag data security in the field. Our own engineers who wrote the ZFD software can not break into, or even detect a secure tag once in the field.



Shot Counting and Weapons Healthcare
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Shot Counting Tags have an National Institute Standards Traceable (NIST) accelerometer sensor, with an advanced custom signal processing chip. In many weapons we provide an optional hardwired connector for high bandwidth monitoring of waveforms. The waveform connector makes it possible to capture Impulse Response Function waveform data which can be collected via a digital oscilloscope plugged into the grip. Digital records are stored in the 20/20 WaveForm Manager and analyzed via the Visible 20/20 Waveform Engine. The tag also collects Key Performance Indicator data about the waveform (round counts, Mean Kinetic Shots, interval statistics, etc.) and stores it in memory registers. Details may be found in Weapons Healthcare Summary.


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The Impulse Response Function (IRF) shown above is key to shot counting, Mean Kinetic Shots (MKS) and all other diagnostic metrics tied to performance of a weapon. The IRF is a waveform that plots acceleration vs. time when the weapon is fired and is the input to our custom signal processing chip. The IRF provides an objective map of all the mechanical events that occur when a round is fired. A typical IRF is illustrated above, with key mechanical events identified. It is important to emphasize that since the mechanics and mechanical events for different model weapons are different, we would also expect to see changes in IRF from one weapons platform to another. The IRF is unique for new weapon designs or models, but it is reassuring that it is typically the same for any given model or similar design (see Weapons Healthcare Summary). See the Shot Counting Video demonstration. The IRF is basis for diagnostic maintenance warnings for weapons similar to warning the lights found in any modern automobile.
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The IRF is conceptually same as diagnostic Electrocardiogram (ECG) used for human healthcare, but for a firearm. We have carried out “clinical protocols” to understand the IRF for each new weapon to see what it looks like in both “health” and “sickness.” The KPIs are metrics that are calculated within the RuBee weapons tag, providing reproducible and reliable diagnostic measurements anywhere using a simple, low cost field reader or an in armory smart rack.