Army sbir 09. 2 Proposal submission instructions
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A09-036 TITLE: Swarm/agent Technology For Small Unit Scalable Effects TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems OBJECTIVE: Investigate and leverage emerging soft computing, agent and swarm technologies to develop a highly modular distributed algorithm and open architecture proof-of-concept implementation that includes a network centric prototype operator control station and embedded control software that is capable of adaptive swarm control and event driven behavior of multiple unmanned aerial/ground systems to detect, localize, and track ground and/or small unmanned aerial targets including dismounts, in a man portable configuration. Demonstrate a team of unmanned small aerial vehicles that can optimally search a specified 3-D Area/volume of Interest for threat targets. Demonstrate coordination behavior between the unmanned systems by executing a computationally efficient algorithm that can triangulate and converge on the geo-located target(s)to gather video imagery of target source. Demonstrate the ability to integrate target data and video data with the small unit effects network. Finally, demonstrate the ability to automatically hand-off targets to manned/unmanned platforms to provide effects on target with human oversight. DESCRIPTION: Unmanned systems such as small unmanned aerial vehicles’s/unmanned ground vehicles’s are uniquely well suited to perform automated/persistent surveillance, target hand-off and effects delivery in support of small unit netcentric operations. Recent advances in small, low cost multi-spectral sensor technology, Software Defined Radios, adhoc/mesh networks, swarm technologies and distributed computing technologies now make it possible for small unmanned systems with more capable payloads to provide precision targeting and effects delivery in support of small unit operations in complex/urban terrain. Further, advances in manned/unmanned (MUMs) teaming has resulted in the ability to more quickly and easily coordinate between groups of heterogeneous unmanned systems. Coupling these two developing capabilities together results in a system of systems that can collectively cover a larger area and more efficiently acquire, identify, track, designate and hand-off time sensitive targeting data to the small unit effects network. These missions are most useful over areas that are difficult to access due to terrain’s topological features. Innovative algorithms and hardware/software architectures are required to develop and demonstrate a highly collaborative, computationally efficient, and deployable swarm algorithm and open architecture implementation capable of automating the target acquisition, identification, tracking, hand-off and effects delivery mission thread using multiple unmanned systems in a manned/unmanned teaming environment. This algorithm should be scalable and designed to coordinate a team of at least three small unmanned SUAV/SUGV platforms in a mission that optimizes probability of target detection for a wide range of terrain. Additionally, once detected, the algorithm should present the operator with a variety of engagement strategies that should include the ability to collect video imagery of the target, the ability to actively track the target if it is moving, the ability to minimize observability of the unmanned systems, the ability to provide target track information to the small unit effects network, and the ability to deliver effects to the target while having an operator in the loop. Implementation architectures and algorithms must conform to current DoD standards for messaging of unmanned vehicles and must be capable of integrating with current and future force operational architectures. The modular algorithms must also demonstrate integration with a variety of current and future force ground control stations. Proposals may address the development of this capability using a mix of hardware/software component implementations, emulations and simulations and should culminate with a live hardware-in-the-loop and man-in-the-loop demonstration. PHASE I: Develop an algorithmic and architectural design and implementation approach to execute the described targeting mission thread. Establish feasibility of the design concept and capability of optimizing target detection, geo-location and hand-off in complex terrain and in a man portable configuration via hardware/ssoftware component level design, emulation and simulation. PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate an integrated hardware/software prototype system. The platforms must be able to self-organize and self-optimize to detect, identify, and track at least one moving air/ground target. The implemented system and algorithm must also be capable of providing geo-referenced targeting information and video imagery integrated with a surrogate small unit effects network. The modular implementation should also be capable of coordinating and executing an effects delivery mission on the moving target with a small unmanned effects platform. Demonstrations will culminate in a live hardware/software man-in-the-loop test of all developed components and platforms. PHASE III: This work has a very high probability of commercialization. The algorithms, methodology and reusable hardware/software component technology developed in this SBIR are applicable and adaptable to law enforcement, homeland defense, site/border security, drug interdiction and special operations applications to provide low cost persistent surveillance and target interdiction. Technology also has broad applications to the future force to support next generation common controller applications for multiple tactical unmanned air and ground systems. REFERENCES: 1. Godfrey,G.A., Cunningham,J.,Knutsen,A. "Negotiation mechanisms for coordination of unmanned aerial vehicle surveillance," In Proceedings from International Conf. on Integration of Knowledge Intensive Multi-agent Systems, April 2005. pp.324-329. 2. Beard,R., McLain,T.,Kingston,D. "Decentralized Cooperative Aerial Surveillance Using Fixed Wing Miniature UAV's", Proceeding of the IEEE, vol 94, no.7, pp.1306-1323, July 2006. 3. Jadbabaie,A.,Lin,J., Morse,A.S.,"Coordination of Groups of Mobile Autonomous Agents Using Nearest Neighbor Rules" IEEE Trans. Automatic Control, vol6, pp.988-1001, June 2003. 4. Williams,A., Glavski,S., "Formations of formations:Hierarchy and Stability", Proc American Control Conf., Boston 2004. KEYWORDS: intelligent agents, swarms, intelligent controls, network effects, cooperative control, multi-agent control. A09-037 TITLE: Smart Dense Detector Arrays TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to create a family of Microelectronic Integrated Circuits (IC) called “Smart Dense Detector Arrays” by integration of advanced low power parallel processors with the large format detector arrays and associated memory into a volume no bigger than four times the volume of the focal plane array package without the other IC’s. DESCRIPTION: This solicitation is for multiple IC’s to be integrated into a small volume where the IC’s include one or more low power processing chips having numerous parallel processors per chip and sufficient Input/Output (I/O) channels per chip to be directly connected to a multi-tap detector array, memory, and still have connections for the outside world. The package will facilitate building extremely small, rugged, low loss, compact, low power, low Radio Frequency emission, extreme throughput, and extreme resolution, for low cost cameras for essential military applications. Size of the package is a critical parameter for the multiple intended military applications. For this solicitation the processor array should operate on 3 watts or less while performing upwards to 25 Giga – Floating Point Operations (GFLOPS). The Focal Plane Array (FPA) should be 12 megapixels or more, have a dynamic range of 12 bits or more per low noise pixel. The acquisition rates should be upward to 30 frames per second or greater. The processor must have sufficient processing power to be capable of performing non-uniformity corrections and data analysis of the image data at the incoming data rates, while controlling FPA operation based on criteria sent from off-package, such as framing the data, changing integration time, etc. The processor must simultaneously be capable of large Finite Impulse Response filtering and other Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms at rates in excess of 25 GLOPS to analyze the data for key features, compress the data set, etc. Sufficient memory, roughly 5 to 10 times that required to acquire the data from a single frame, will be required in the package for intermediate values, answers, control parameters, etc., to handle both inter-frame and intra-frame processing. The resulting “Smart Dense Detector Arrays” must be fully programmable by the user. The FPA control criteria and logic, the DSP algorithms, and image analysis algorithms, must be fully programmable by the user. The massive incoming image data is expected to be reduced within the processor to essential information that would be sent by the embedded program to external digital circuitry at much lower data rates than that coming from the FPA. PHASE I: Design the multiple IC package and characterize the design for size, power, circuitry, risk factors, throughput, etc. Create the specifications document for the user community to program the package and to electronically integrate the multi-die integrated circuit package into external circuits. PHASE II: Build and test a fully functional programmable multiple IC package based on the Phase 1 design and demonstrate the module in operation within a breadboard camera application. By the end of Phase 2, the module and documentation should be at Technology Readiness Level 6. A fully functional demonstration TRL 4 camera with the module embedded should be delivered to the government for testing. PHASE III: The product of this solicitation will be a key component in rifle scopes, sniper scopes, and many surveillance and target acquisition equipment, as well as in advanced video equipment in the civilian commercial and military world where megapixels of acquired imagery must be reduced to essential information before being stored or transmitted. Application for domestic and military security operations for the device abound, e.g., Border Patrol, airport security, Search and Rescue, building surveillance, space and aircraft flown surveillance system and the movie industry. REFERENCES: 1. Michael Pecht, Integrated Circuit, Hybrid, and Multichip Module Package Design Guidelines: A Focus on Reliability, Wiley-IEEE, 1994. ISBN 0471594466, 9780471594468 2. World’s Largest-Capacity Multi-Chip Package for Mobile Applications, Samsung Electronics CO. In Technology, February 23, 2005 found at www.physorg.com/news3159.html 3. U.S. Patent 7323789, Multiple chip package and IC chips, January 29, 2008. 4. U.S. Patent 2007/0096265, Multiple Die Integrated Circuit Package, May 3 2007 5. Publication WO/2007/095604, Multiple Die Integrated Circuit Package, dated August 23, 2007 6. U.S. Patent 7,352,058 B2, Methods For A Multiple Die Integrated Circuit Package, May 3, 2007, Assigned To SanDisk Corporation 7. National Semiconductor, Appendix E: Understanding Integrated Circuit Package Power Capabilities, April 2000 found at www.national.com/ms/UN/UNDERSTANDING_INTEGRATED_CIRCUIT_PACKAGE_POWER_CA.pdf 8. U.S. patent 573940, Multiple chip package with thinned semiconductor chips. 9. Applications of packages of similar nature see: Hong Hua, & Sheng Liu, Dual-sensor foveated imaging system, Applied Optics, Vol 47, Issue 3, pp317-327. 10. For examples of large focal plane arrays see Fairchild Imaging, 1801 McCarthy Blvd, Milpitas, CA at web site www.fairchildimaging.com/products/ 11. Teledyne Scientific I Imaging , LLC 1049 Camino Dos Rios, Thousand Oaks, CA has a 12 megapixel array – sensor RSC V12M and a 59 megapixel array – sensor TIS V59M, see web site www.teledyne-si.com/ KEYWORDS: Large Format Cameras, Parallel Processors, Field Programmable Gate Arrays, Focal Plane Arrays, Sensors, Microelectronics, multi-chip modules, multi-die integrated circuit package A09-038 TITLE: Innovative Wide Area Forward/Side Looking On-the-Move Laser Based Explosives Detection System TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Weapons OBJECTIVE: Develop a wide area/forward looking laser based explosive scanning and detection technology with capability to positively identify explosive type as well as provide real time imaging of the size and dimension of a concealed or exposed explosive threats. Potential deployments include explosive scanning systems at entry control points or on Talon-like robots searching for explosives while on the move. DESCRIPTION: Several standoff explosive detection technologies including LIBS, Raman Spectroscopy, Terahertz, and Laser Photo-Acoustic have emerged to provide highly positive explosive detection and classification reliability at large standoff distances (10m or more) from a fixed interrogation spot using molecular based "fingerprinting" of the explosive type. Such technologies have also evolved to allow high speed repetition rates making them potentially suitable for evolving from spot detection to scanning area detectors. Explosive detection at a single fixed spot is potentially practical when the location of explosive residue is assumed to be likely, such as on a car door handle or at a specific EOD interrogation spot. However, fixed spot interrogation does not facilitate deployment on moving platforms or allow an efficient assessment of the true size/magnitude of a potential explosive threat within a wide surveillance area. The vision of this topic is to explore a synergism of emerging laser scanning and imaging technologies capable of precision control, high reliable standoff explosive detection technologies enabled by laser excitation, and software control/display technologies to provide real-time imaging of explosive threats while on the move. The potential exists to excite the surveillance area with precision laser control, sequence explosive detections, and display an aggregate group of detections over a scanned area in such a way that a user can appreciate the size and dimension of the potential explosive threat. Effective wide area scanning holds the promise to significantly improve false target rejection and countermeasure resistance by employing more meaningful assessment of the explosive threat over the total surveillance area and while potentially screening out small area detections which may not represent a true threat. The topic strives to develop and expand the applications for wide area laser based explosive detection imaging initially to slow-speed moving platforms such as a Talon robot, but ultimately the technology may progress to practical hand-held scanners and systems capable of scanning people at entry control points. Additional topic challenges can be described to include: 1) The ability to quickly assess and potentially tag the central position of any detected explosive threat would facilitates passing explosive threat information to systems which might disable or destroy the threat. 2) Ability for the system to allow user input to adjust and focus the search pattern as well as forward looking search area. A typical scenario might involve the user refining the scan resolution and focusing the search area to improve overall reliability of the threat assessment as the system moves in closer to an identified spot of interest 3) Incorporation of additional laser ranging information or scene LIDAR feature that assists the user''''''''s ability to locate or assess the explosive threat 4) Provide high reliability of positive explosive detection with low false alarm rate over as broad a range of explosive material types (e.g. TNT, Tritinol, C4, dynamite, ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, or others identified as common in IED construction). 5) Employ non-photo ionizing radiation levels 6) System size goal suitable for deployment on small Talon-like robotic platforms. Initial solutions to this topic should attempt to produce a forward looking, wide area scanning laser head and associated user interface with future goal to integrate with a TALON-like robot platform. In this deployment concept, the robot may proceed to an area of interest at slow speed and scan while approaching the area. Wide area/forward looking scanning in this case could be defined as a laser radiated area up to 10 feet from the area of interest, with 10 foot wide side to side swath and 3 foot height, approaching the target at speeds of up to 2 mph. The system should be capable of making initial location estimates of the explosive threat and then be capable of generating progressively higher resolution dimensional estimates of the explosive threat as the robot moves closer. A graphical user interface and display should assist the user in identifying initial detections and allow slow speed or fixed examinations if required to improve the threat assessment. As the system solution evolves the ultimate goal would be to deploy the system on vehicles/platforms designed for in-road/off-road IED searching, these generally operated at speeds between 5 to 15 mph. In these future deployments the forward-looking scanning should provide for an approximate maximum standoff of 25 feet, with 10 foot side to side swath, and 5 foot overall height of coverage. PHASE I: Conduct feasibility assessment of a state-of-the-art explosive detection capability which can detect real time images while on the move. Provide key design parameters including the laser scanner design and control approach, standoff detection technology, and control/display software. Provide potential design and performance tradeoffs involving speed of operation, resolution of explosive threat assessment over the scan area, reliability of explosive detection for a given standoff distance, and ability to capture relevant images for both bulk exposed or concealed explosives as well as trace explosive vapors. The initial feasibility study should be capable of statically detecting 2 sticks of TNT at a range of 5 feet and progressing to slow speed, on-the-move detection. PHASE II: Develop a prototype identified in Phase I, conducting proof-of-principle tests to demonstrate the ability to conduct on-the-move explosive threat assessments for both bulk exposed or concealed explosives of different types. Extend the capability to identify different types of explosives such as Tritinol, C4, dynamite, ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, or others identified as common in IED construction. Demonstration success can be defined as obtaining real time images at various speeds up to 10 feet from the source with 5 foot minimum forward looking side-to-side swath. PHASE III: For military applications, this technology can be applied to include 1) low-risk integration on Talon Robot for EOD missions, 2) systems deployed on vehicles or remote control platforms for in-road IED detection at practical speeds of 5 to 15 mph, 3) off-road application for urban GWOT applications. Commercial applications may include 1) robot or robotic omni-directional explosives scanner for Law Enforcement and SWAT Teams, and 2) highly desired high speed reliable explosive surveillance area scanners to check people, luggage, cars, or other items in airports, malls, or any area suspected of mischief. Future military and commercial applications of the developed technology could revolutionize on-person explosive threat assessments using hand-held devices or area scanning systems deployed in any public area or critical entry control point. REFERENCES: 1. Raman scattering spectroscopy for explosives identification, 6572, Proc. SPIE, 2007. 2. SC272 - Biological and Chemical Sensing for Homeland Security, Stephen Lane, NSF Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology, and Thomas Huser NSF Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology, and Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis http://cbst.ucdavis.edu/education/short-courses 3. L. Haley, G. Thekkadath - Laser detection of explosive residues. US Patent 5,760,898, 1998. 4. C. López-Moreno, S. Palanco, J.J. Laserna, F. DeLucia, Jr., A.W. Miziolek, J. Rose, R.A. Walters, A. Whitehouse. Test of a stand-off laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy sensor for the detection of explosive residues on solid surfaces, J. of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 21, 55-60 (2006). 5. L. Nagli, M. Gaft. Raman scattering spectroscopy for explosives identification. Proceedings of SPIE Conference “Laser Source Technology for Defense and Security III”, Vol. 6552, Orlando, US (2007). 6. THz Standoff Detection and Imaging of Explosives and Weapons, John F. Federici, Dale Gary, Robert Barat, David Zimdars, Department of Physics, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, Department of Chemical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, Picometrix, Inc, 2925 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI 48113, Proc. SPIE 5781, 75 (2005). 7. Remote Femtosecond Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) in a Standoff Detection Regime C.G. Brown*a, R. Bernatha. 8. Existing and Potential Standoff Explosives Detection Techniques, Committee on the Review of Existing and Potential Standoff Explosives Detection Techniques, National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington (2004). http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10998.html KEYWORDS: Explosive, laser, scanner, detection, imaging, Raman Spectroscopy, LIBS, Terahertz, Photo-Acoustic, TALON, robot A09-039 TITLE: Innovative Coatings for Lightweight Alloys TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO Soldier Objective: Develop novel wear prevention coatings for lightweight alloys used in weapons applications and air platforms. Description: Light weight alloys of magnesium, aluminum and titanium are difficult to coat using traditional Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) techniques. Titanium alloys are widely used for Army vehicles, the Lightweight Howitzer, and bearing housings and flanges in aerospace propulsion systems due to low density, good mechanical strength, and high thermal conductivity. Cast aluminum alloys and, increasingly, magnesium alloys are also being used for their low weight and low cost. However, these alloys can experience an excessive galling wear when matched to harder steel surfaces, such as alloy 4340, under high fatigue loads, temperature cycling and dusty environments. Of particular interest to the US Army is galling wear elimination technologies, which can economically modify the surface of these light alloys into a hard, lubricious ceramic or functionally graded composite material. Such a coating or wear-resistant system could replace steel bearings and bushings which could simplify designs and reduce mechanism weight. Developed processes must not affect the bulk mechanical characteristics of the components and should be resistant to wear at temperatures between -45 to 500 F. A combination of the coating adhesion tests, corrosion tests, and fatigue tests of the coated specimens or parts is required for coating qualifications. Attention should be paid to thermal expansions to eliminate loose fittings in machine guns and bushings. Project coordination with weapon and platform manufacturers and the US Army is recommended. To be successful the following should be demonstrated: identify key process steps, ensure repeatable results via metallurgy (coating thickness, hardness, adhesion and composition), ensure producibility and wear-resistance using coupon wear testing in accordance with ASTM Standards (such as G77 and/or similar). 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