Introduction
- Aaron 9/9/2024
A few months back, we posted the introduction to the ISG micro Operations Center, with the intent of showcasing the “what” of the project. So while we hope it was an interesting look at what the project is, a little less defined is the “why?”, and more importantly, the “how?” of the device. After all, one of the biggest complaints we had when looking at other, similar projects and builds was that none of them seemed purpose built for much more than use as a computer. While there’s nothing wrong with that, we believe there’s a very real, very pressing niche for the mTOC, and it spans the Types of Emergencies.
First, let’s briefly recap what the mTOC is and what it’s meant to be. Then, let’s talk about what it can do.
- The mTOC is built from inexpensive, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) parts, using 3D printable STL files modified to match ISG’s mission.
- It’s core is a Raspberry Pi 4 B single board computer running Raspberry Pi OS*.
- The unit has a Waveshare SIM7600 Top hat, that, when paired with an active SIM card, can produce 4G WiFi, and cellular.
- The unit is also set up with Xastir/Direwolf, and can be configured as a Terminal Node Controller (think “modem” that translates digital information into radio waves, and back), to send packet data using HAM radios.
- The unit also incorporates a Uninterruptible Power Supply that will keep it operational between 2-4 hours, depending on use. This is supplemented by an internal/external power bank, that extends the life to ~15 hours using a standard 20mAmp battery bank.
- It is meant to be as modular and flexible as possible. More on this below.
- It is built to grow with your level of skill. The unit starts with a simple, intuitive graphic user interface (GUI), but also features a powerful command line interface (CLI) that can be used for more advanced functions.
- It’s not a “base” model, it’s a “foundational” model. While the mTOC you receive may not be customized to your specific mission, it will be useful, out of the box, for everything from mission planning to signal capture – in a way that requires no internet. As well, the unit features a quick-swap microSD reader that allows you to swap your operating system in about 30 seconds. This means if you need Kali Linux, or SIGINTOS, all you need is to swap the microSD card and reboot.
SPECS
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Dimensions: Pelican 1300
- Interior (L×W×D) 9.17 x 6.99″ x 6.15 (23.3 x 17.8 x 15.6 cm)
- Exterior (L×W×D) 10.70 x 9.76″ x 6.89 (27.2 x 24.8 x 17.5 cm
- Material:
- Case: Polyprophelene with ABS latch and stainless steel pins
- Chassis: User specified material – PLA, PETG, PETG-CF available
- Operating temperature:
- Centigrade: -40 to +85
- Fahrenheit: -40 to +185
- Operating Voltage: 5.5V regulated by UPS (solves Raspberry Pi’s need for specific chargers to maintain correct, constant power supply)
- Battery: 7.4V – provides 2-4 hours of continuous power – can be upgraded and supplemented by larger batteries and/or power bank
- Working while charging: Yes
- Antenna: LTE Antenna and GNSS/GPS positioning antenna
- Antenna Connection: 1 RX/TX (LTE), 1 RX (GNSS)
- Operating System: Raspberry Pi Linux
- Processor: Broadcom Quad Core Cortex-A72 (ARMv8) 64 Bit at 1.8GHz
- RAM: 4 or 8 GB
- Hard disk: 256Gb microSD Standard, 1TB available
- RF Hardware:
- Screen: Raspberry Pi Touch Screen
- Keyboard: Perixx 501-H+ hard wired Keyboard & Trackpad
Why? What does it do?
Keeping this part as simple as possible, a lot. The goal is to give you as much ability to gather and process information as possible, and then give you the ability to present it. With this in mind, here are some of the key features:
Hardware
- Waveshare Sim7600 Top Hat – provides connectivity for grid by using a SIM card that gives 4G data, SMS, and cellular capability. Everything except the SIM card is included in the mTOC standard.
- SunFounder PiPower – The SunFounder PiPower UPS (Uninterruptable power supply) is a pass-through charging/power module that supplies the unit with up to 5 hours of off grid power. With an external 20,0000 mAh bank, we’ve estimated a run-time of 25-30 hours, or about 15-20 hours under working load.
- Network Switch (NetGear G305 series standard) – The network switch allows the terminal to connect to other mTOC terminals, sensors, routers, servers (such as ATAK servers provided by an additional pi) and office equipment such as printers using secure, wired connections, even without power. This can be used to create an “intranet” to supplement the other connectivity features of the mTOC terminal.
- Panel Mount cables – ALL of the Raspberry Pi 4’s standard features are accessible via the mTOC faceplate. It features 2x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, audio, RJ45, and a USB-C power port. Additionally, Cellular and GPS antenna mounts, a power port for the provided network switch, and power toggles are mounted for convenience. Finally, the MicroSD extender provides immediate, rapid access to the mTOC’s operating system. If your needs are more specific, you can create your own Operating System, and with the press of a card, you can change from mTOC’s OS to your own in less than 30 seconds. As well, the Sim card has an extender offering the same functionality but for the Wireless capabilities. This is crucially important when working in other countries or when communications security is a concern.
- Robust construction – all fittings and connections are soldered, or connected using heat-fused, water resistant connections. As well, terminals can be shipped with 3d printed cable management clips that help keep the forward face manageable. It’s housed in a class-defining Pelican 1300 case, which is shock resistant and waterproof.
Supplemental
- HAM radio – The HAM radio can be paired with the included software to act as a “terminal node controller” or TNC. This allows the mTOC to translate RF signals to digital data to be passed through repeaters to other mTOC terminals where they’re decoded and displayed. This can send information similar to what you’d find in ATAK, to include direction, heading, and GPS, in addition to SMS (text messages) and Email
- Drone – The mTOC is meant to be used with a drone… and those capable of streaming an RTMP feed can send it directly to the mTOC by way of VLC media player. It can also be set up to host the drone feed on a local server created by NGINX, so anyone on your team with the IP address can view the feed in real time.
- Projector – The projector is an incredibly useful tool for analyzing routes, imagery, or briefing gathered data compiled with the productivity tools.
- Speakers/headphones – Either are able to be used with the standard 3.5mm audio jack mounted to the faceplate. This feature is to ensure that there’s no possibility of unintentional sounds. The mTOC can’t make noise unless you want it to.
Software/Applications
Kiwix – The mTOC features Kiwix, a zim reader that can be used to display internet websites completely without internet by storing them on your memory card. Several documents come with the mTOC, including ISG’s collected body of work for our website, military medical manuals, and the entirety of WikiPedia.
FoxTrotGPS – A open source, free mapping software similar to Google Earth, Foxtrot gives street maps, topography, and satellite views of nearly anywhere in the world – all without internet.
Syncthing – This file sharing tool is platform agnostic and uses the devices in it’s private network as a secure ‘cloud’ that allows users to quickly send images from their personal devices to shared folders. These can be used to analyze or interpret intelligence, assess photos taken during reconnaissance, or those related to training.
Dump1090 – Dump1090 is a flight tracking software that, when coupled with an RTL-SDR, can give a printed or graphical output showing local air traffic. This can be used to plot common air travel routes and audit them for irregularities or anomalies during emergencies.
SDR Software – mTOC comes staged with three SDR applications that represent varying levels of complexity: CubicSDR, GQRX, and GNU Radio. These can be used to listen to any RF signals, and with some technical knowledge, can be used to decode and display signals such as those coming from weather satellites.
Xastir/Direwolf – This combination of applications facilitate turning a HAM radio into a Terminal Node Controller (TNC), giving the mTOC terminal the ability to communicate with any other TNC reachable by repeater or Line-of-Sight signal.
Libre Office – productivity tools for planning, preparing slideshows, and creating spreadsheets.
Conky Display – the mTOC features a custom heads-up display (HUD) that displays pertinent information at a glance. This allows the terminal controller to instantly identify if there are any applications enabled and on that could possibly create a signature, both for OpSec and functionality. It was custom designed to use data gathered from your IP address to display relevant data for mission planning. As well, the HUD displays the resource use of the terminal, and it’s connectivity data.
mTOC User’s Guide – A written .odt file detailing how to use the applications and hardware in the mTOC is included in each terminal. This can act as a quick reference and skill building tool to help you familiarize yourself with your terminal.
How? The above, in a little more detail
Let’s discuss how to actually use the mTOC, by breaking it down into several categories that are “general purpose”, or can be used by most everyone immediately.
Power – The first thing is that the mTOC can be charged off any USB-C cable. You can plug it into your car’s USB port, a cigarette lighter, a solar panel, a battery bank, or the wall. Wherever you find power, the mTOC will be able to accept it via the 5V USB-C port.
Signal – One of the first steps in planning is the ability to observe and communicate information via radio, cellular, or digital means. The mTOC is set up to do this in a variety of ways; first and most simply, by acting as a node capable of receiving a signal using a simple RTL-SDR and the Cubic/GRQX/GNU Radio software. This allows the user to tune in to broadcasts without the need for an external radio. The software also allows the user to record transmissions for later use, and is limited only by the frequencies allowable by the hardware used. For example, and RTL-SDR can observe from 500kHz to 1.75gHz. The optional HackRF can receive and transmit on the 1Mhz to the 6Ghz bands – for reference, “4G” is 4GHz, meaning you’ll have access to the same bands that cellular phones use for wireless internet, SMS, and cellular. This is redundant, as well, as the WaveShare SIM7600 top hat is also capable of broadcasting on these channels – and requires no separate purchases.
These features can be used to capture Weather Data for planning, as well as communications within the area on FRS, GMRS, and HAM radio bands out of the box.
Resources – The mTOC likewise comes equipped with Kiwix, a .zim reader that be used to store entire websites offline on the systems hard drive or removable media. While the exact content on your mTOC may be different, each comes with several resources that will benefit the user, such as “military medicine”, “Where there is no Doctor”, and entirety of the ISG website up until May 2024. As well, a copy of “Carry the Fire” is included on each terminal.
Reconnaissance – The combination of the file sharing capability, drone feed, signal capture, with the ability to share files simply and easily across platforms and then project them onto a board or screen for briefing, even without connectivity, acts as a nucleus or hub for structuring a more elaborate TOC, or simply providing simple, field-expedient, low power consumption resources for your relief effort.
Planning/Briefing – One of the less exciting, but more necessary tasks undertaken by an operations center is that of planning. That means the ability to prepare documents, compile information, create presentations, and use spreadsheets. The terminal also facilitates briefing by providing an HDMI connection that can be used with a projector, monitor, or television (if there’s power) so that the data accumulated can be briefed.
Conclusion
The mTOC is designed to be a ruggedized, thermally tough, low power consumption alternative to a laptop that can function in harsh conditions. It’s capability is driven by its molecularity, flexibility, and the ability to transition from being a ‘generalist’ device to a highly specialized device at a moments notice. mTOC is designed to meet the challenges of your mission set with security, capability, flexibility, and at a low price point… out of materials that can be 3d printed or bought nearly anywhere in the world.
We hope this has been a useful guide to defining what the mTOC is and how it can be used!
Cheers,
Aaron
