Submission of proposals
ARMY 2003.2 SBIR TOPIC DESCRIPTIONS
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ARMY 2003.2 SBIR TOPIC DESCRIPTIONSA03-001 TITLE: Generic Sensor Information Transmitter Optimized for Acoustics TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Close Combat Systems OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative generic sensor information transmitter for acoustics detection. DESCRIPTION: The land acoustic development efforts have made significant strides classifying and tracking targets over large battlespace areas using multiple microphone beamforming arrays. The highest performance has been achieved with devices employing arrays of 8 microphones or more in circles of 12 ft diameter or more. Unfortunately, the cost to develop a unit consisting of a large number of microphones and with accurate placement has been historically unattractive. Most planned implementations have been compromises employing modest sized arrays with 5 microphones or less, with projected development costs still high. An innovative approach is possible to break the paradigm. This SBIR technology is looking to optimize the functional combination of input signal feature extraction with data compression in order to achieve very high total compression ratios of the input acoustic signal in order to achieve significantly greater target detection performance at appreciably lower costs. The realization of total compressions ratios in excess of 50 to 1 (with goal 100 to 1) allows a practical, low cost means to directly transmit the essential raw acoustic signal from remotely deployed sensors to a remote master computer. With such an approach, an entirely different system solution is possible. Instead of deploying large devices with cumbersome multiple microphone fixtures and high cost custom processing electronics, it would be possible to seed a surveillance area with a modest quantity of single microphones containing low cost, small sized generic "sensor information transmitters". Significant system level performance gains are possible as a result of the freedom with which a "master" computer can analyze the essential attributes of all raw sensor data within the surveillance area. The implementation of higher performance system level beamforming using strategic combinations of the remotely deployed sensors allows greater detection ranges, better multiple target discrimination, more accurate target tracking, and system solutions which can be customized to a particular surveillance application. PHASE I: Design and optimize innovative solutions for acoustic signal feature extraction in functional combination with state-of-the-art compression schemes (lossy, lossless, or integrated) optimized for the transmission of essential acoustic feature information while maintaining a high level of beamforming performance after signal de-compression. Total compression gains desired are in the range of 50-100. PHASE II: Develop a prototype generic processing board solutions, of approximately 2 inch square or less and 4 chips or less, offering quick transition to production. Provide interface from the compressed data output to an RS232 link for connection to GFE communications systems. Demonstrate the ability to transmit the raw acoustic signal from each sensor to a remotely placed master computer. Test system performance using GFE acoustic target tracking and classification algorithms. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Small, low cost "sensor information transmitters" can be easily optimized for a wide range of sensor types and obviate the need for custom sensor on-board processing solutions at the sensor node level. Once the "generic front end electronics" is designed for a particular sensor type and optimized for a particular application, the device can be wirelessly linked to any standard computing platform to host the system level processing algorithms. The approach also promotes the proliferation of low cost, deployable sensors in support of targeting for FCS systems. DoD applications for ultra low cost, small size acoustic, seismic, and magnetic sensors include homeland security border patrol, base security systems, and to better promote mass scattered air-deployable surveillance/targeting sensors systems. Commercial applications include crowd control systems, home security systems, and traffic monitoring of autors or aircraft. REFERENCES: 1) Johnson, Don H., Dudgeon, Dan E., ?Array Signal Processing: Concepts and Techniques?, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1993. 2) K. Sayood. Morgan Kauffman, "Introduction to Data Compression", Second Edition, 2000. 3) A. Gersho and R. M. Gray, Vector "Quantization and Signal Compression", Kluwer Academic Press, 1992. 4) N. S. Jayant and P. Noll, "Digital Coding of Waveforms", Prentice-Hall, 1984. 5) R. M. Gray, "Source Coding Theory", Kluwer, 1990. 6) R. M. Gray, "Entropy and Information Theory", Springer-Verlag, 1990. 7) T. C. Bell, J. G. Cleary, and I. H. Witten, "Text Compression", Prentice-Hall, 1990.
A03-002 TITLE: Recoil Energy Recovery for Powering Munitions TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes, Electronics ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO Ammunition OBJECTIVE: Design and build an innovative system that converts the recoil G-Force of firing a projectile into powering the munition: DESCRIPTION: The weapons of the future are no longer normal bullets or kinetic energy projectiles. Currently we are using sensors, seekers, electronic fuzing, and the road to directed energy projectiles is before us still. These systems need a sizable source of energy to function and the space consumed by large batteries is unacceptable for many applications. When these projectiles are fired, either from a tank gun, mortar shell, or rocket tube, they are exposed to G forces in excess of 18,000 Gs in a small fraction of a second. If this force can be converted into electrical energy and stored for a short period of time (10 minutes at the most), we could have more accurate and lethal projectiles. The generated power should minimally operate the fire control and acquisition systems within that ?smart? projectile; and optimally provide Source Power for an onboard Directed Energy Projectile. The system should be as small (volumetrically) as possible and have the potential to generate enough power to operate at least one device at 12v for a minimum of 3 minutes. PHASE I: Design a system capable of taking a significant shock load and converting it into electrical energy. Perform trade-off analysis of size vs. power output and technical complexity/reliability. PHASE II: Fabricate and characterize prototype device. PHASE III DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: In addition to military applications, any industry plagued with shock loading could benefit from the virtually free energy generated by phenomena that are already present. For example, in the case of Electric Vehicles, energy could be generated every time the vehicle hits a bump, the shock load is transferred from the wheels, creating energy to recharge the battery. REFERENCES: 1) http://www.g2mil.com/155mortars.htm 2) http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/smallarms/Ernest-Jones.pdf
A03-003 TITLE: Small Arms Gun Barrel Stabilization Using High Energy Density, Rugged, and Low Creep Actuators TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Individual Weapons OBJECTIVE: To design and develop innovative high energy density, low creep actuators for small arms applications to compensate for combat induced stress related gun position jitter. DESCRIPTION: In modern infantry combat soldiers are exposed to intense external stimulations generated by the effects of modern weapons including bright flashes of light, extreme loud noises, witnessing of severe injuries and loss of life, etc. It is well know that the stress generated by these combat experiences produces physiological effects that are detrimental to fine motor skill dependent activities such as marksmanship. For example, studies have shown that the heart rate of a soldier in combat can reach upwards of 300 beats per minute, well above the typical maximum of approximately 200 beats per minute experienced by elite athletes in competition. Additionally, both respiration rate and muscle jerk response increase. These well known physiological effects significantly degrade a soldier’s marksmanship performance in terms of shot accuracy and dispersion which degrades mission effectiveness, increases collateral damage and civilian casualties and ultimately reduces soldier combat survivability. Various strategies have been developed to mitigate these effects on the soldier including: a) physical conditioning to build-up and maintain gross motor skills, physical strength and stamina, b) mental conditioning to better enable the soldier to manage the psychological effects and c) rigorous marksmanship training including range and simulated combat exercises. However, these training regimes are costly, time consuming and have varying degrees of effectiveness, since it is virtually impossible to simulate the external stimulation and life threatening nature of actual combat. Instead of the current approach described above, the U.S. Army is seeking the development of an innovative active gun barrel stabilization system including rugged, high energy density, low creep actuators to integrate into a small arms platform in order to decouple the stress related tremble or jitter imparted by the soldier to the weapon from the weapon gun barrel. The small arms stabilization system envisioned here would function in a similar fashion to that of optical stabilization systems found in many small handheld video cameras, i.e., rejecting “high” frequency jitter/tremble disturbances from the camera line of sight but allowing lower frequency camera pointing commands. The target application for the effort here is the M24 Sniper Weapon System. This platform and the environment in which it must operate place many difficult constraints on the system design. For example, the stabilization system must be compact, lightweight, have minimal effect on weapon balance or feel, and fit into small spaces such as the gunstock. It must operate under harsh environmental conditions including high shock levels, cold and hot temperatures, water immersion, etc. Additionally, the system must be very reliable and if it fails must not effect the operation of the weapon. The design of the small arms stabilization system contemplated here will likely require an integrated system of sensors, actuators, a processor and other electronics and a power source. Critical in this design effort will be the development of rugged, high energy density, low creep, and compact actuators. A comprehensive tradeoff analysis must be performed among the candidate actuator technologies in order to produce an actuator design that meets the significant constraints of the target small arms application. The desired (i.e., target) actuator specifications for effective performance are: -/+ 400 micrometer maximum azimuth/elevation displacement capability; force capability of 45 Newtons (10 pounds); frequency response of 0-10 Hz and physical envelope dimensions of 20mm x 10mm x 10mm. Explicitly delineate power requirements and schemes for minimizing both power load and weight/volume of power package. PHASE I: Design a small arms gun barrel stabilization system. PHASE II: Build a prototype of the small arms stabilization system. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: For military application, integrate this technology into the M24 sniper rifle and test in a relevant environment. Through live fire testing, demonstrate improvement in bullet impact dispersion at various ranges. Through environmental testing, demonstrate system ruggedness and reliability; however, potential applications are not limited to munitions. For commercial applications, cost effective, low creep actuators are needed in the aerospace industry, as well as in the vehicle industry. Stabilized platforms have broad applications in numerous commercial endeavors. REFERENCES: 1) Siddle, Bruce K. Sharpening the Warrior's Edge, Millstadt, IL: PPCT Research Publications, 1995. 2) Marshall, S. L. A., The Soldier’s Load and the Mobility of a Nation, The Combat Forces Press, 1950. 3) Grossman, D., & Siddle, B. K., "Psychological Effects of Combat," in Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict, Academic Press, 2000. 4) FM 23-10 Sniper Training. Headquarters of the U.S. Army. Washington D.C. August 1994
A03-004 TITLE: Innovative Modular Packaging of Military Supplies TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO Ammunition OBJECTIVE: Design and build modular packaging with features of biodegradability and impact mitigation capability for mixed classes of supply including ammunition to support various military missions. DESCRIPTION: To support the future force in military missions, the logistics system must provide fast and accurate supplies to soldiers in order to enhance their operational efficiency in battlefield. Modular packaging is an excellent concept to help the Army to meet this objective. Furthermore, to increase the safety of ammunition handling and reduce environmental impact, the modular packaging should be fabricated with biodegradable materials with a novel internal packing material which is capable of insulating against high temperature and preventing munitions initiation from ballistic and fragment impact. The biodegradable materials should be lightweight, disposable, and relatively low cost. The proposed packaging must be capable to maintain a 3 pound per square inch (psi) seal and meet the rough handling requirements at ambient temperature as stated in the military packaging requirements as stated in MIL-STD-1904 including secured and loose cargo vibration and a three to seven foot drop test. The internal packing material should also be lightweight and low cost. In addition, it should be fire-resistant and impact-absorbing, with thermal insulating properties, and which can be made either electrically conductive or insulative. This material, such as carbon-based product would be applied or foamed into the interior of ammunition or missile containers to reduce the munitions sensitivity to bullet and fragment impact, and increase the time to reaction in cook-off events. The modular packaging should consist of a group of standardized modules consisting of at least three optimum sizes, large, medium and small. All modules will be used for shipping and storage of both solid materials including ammunition, and liquid materials such as water. The liquid modules should have an internal collapsible bladder with a self-contained extraction features with quick release couplings for transfer of liquid without the use of a pump. The loaded modules should be one man portable for small and medium modules and two men portable for the large one. A unit load can be built by using a combination of the standard modules to within a volume of 44 by 54 by 48H, occupying a quarter of a 463L pallet. Features to interlock one module to another and pallet components (top lift and base units) to modules are desired to provide a stable load. Minimizing or total elimination the use of banding is desirable. These features should be easy and quick to connect and disconnect. When a unit load is built using a combination of the standard modules with mixed classes of supply, it must meet the rough handling requirements as stated in the MIL-STD-1660. PHASE I: Conduct studies and analysis to develop biodegradable packaging materials and impact mitigating internal packaging materials. Develop optimum standard sizes of modules and combinations of the modules to form a unit load within the volume as stated above. Design individual modular packaging to in accordance with military packaging requirements. Design self-contained extraction features (such as inflatable bladder) for liquid modules and easy connect/disconnect interlocking features to ensure a stable pallet load. PHASE II: Upon successful completion of Phase I, develop and fabricate a prototype modular packaging system based on material and manufacturing process selected in Phase I. The material selected must be commercially available and the process developed be easily transitioned to high volume production. The prototype system will also be tested in accordance with Army’s requirements, MIL-STD-1904 and MIL-STD-1660. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: This system would have wide use in private sector to deliver products in a pre-packaged configuration such as medical supplies, video equipment, electronics, computer and food industry. Modular packaging would provide standardized modules common to all products including both liquid and solid. This concept will make handling, transportation and storage much more efficient and readily compatible to automation. OPERATING AND SUPPORT COST (OSCR) REDUCTION: ????? REFERENCES: 1. MIL-STD-1904, Design and Test Requirements for Level A Ammunition Packaging 2. MIL-STD-1660, Design Criteria for Ammunition Unit Loads KEYWORDS: Modular Packaging, Solid and Liquid Materials, Self-Contained Extraction Features, Innovative Interlocking Features, Easy Connect/Disconnect, Modules, ballistic shock mitigation, Pre-Packaged Configuration, biodegradable A03-005 TITLE: Utilization of Acoustics and Laser Light for Energy and Power Transmission
1) http://www.spie.org/ 2) http://hifnews.lbl.gov/hifweb03_02.html 3) http://www.cmmp.ucl.ac.uk/~ahh/teaching/1B24n/ 4) Transport Equations for Elastic and Other Waves in Random Media, Leonid V. Ryzhik, George C. Papanicolaou and Joseph B. Keller. Wave Motion, 24, (1996), pp. 327-370. 5) Stability of the P to S energy ratio in the diffusive regime, Leonid V. Ryzhik, George C. Papanicolaou and Joseph B. Keller. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 86, (1996), pp. 1107-1115. Erratum. Vol. 86, (1996), p. 1997. 6) Transport Equations for Waves in a Half Space, Leonid V. Ryzhik, Joseph B. Keller and George Papanicolaou. Communications in Partial Differential Equations, 22, (1997), pp. 1869-1910. 7) Transport theory for acoustic waves with reflection and transmission at interfaces, G. Bal, J.B. Keller, G. Papanicolaou and L. Ryzhik. Wave Motion, 30, (1999), pp. 303-327. 8) Probabilistic Theory of Transport Processes with Polarization, G. Bal, G. Papanicolaou; To appear in the SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics.
A03-006 TITLE: Innovative Long Life Power System/Battery Recharge System for Munitions TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes, Electronics ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO - Ammunition OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative small energy scavenging system no larger than the size of a AA battery in volume, to power or recharge 3.6 V batteries used on asset visibility, prognostic-diagnostic sensing and robotic systems. DESCRIPTION: This technology would enable prolonged use of battery-powered devices, extending operational life and shelf life, and reducing or eliminating costly battery replacement maintenance cycles. The increased operational life would be especially helpful in supporting prolonged operation in remote or hostile locations typical of the modern battlefield. (Afghanistan, Bosnia, SWA, etc.) This new technology would support and enhance munition asset visibility and prognostic-diagnostic systems currently under development. These systems will allow more rapid and accurate location of items and assessment of materiel condition to accelerate delivery of critical munitions throughout the logistics system on a moments notice in support of short re-supply cycles. The system design should provide at least 3 amp-hrs of energy over 15 years to extend the life of initial power sources/batteries. It must be capable of operating in explosive environments and comply with Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) standards. It must be operational between ?65F to +190F and withstand shock and vibration incident to infrequent off-road transit by tactical vehicles. Approximately 95% of the lifecycle will be spent inside dark munitions storage structures with average daily temperature fluctuations of 3 to 10 degrees. Therefore, harnessing this modest daily thermal fluctuation is likely to be the primary opportunity available in the absence of mechanical energy associated with infrequent transportation of the device. Ideally the manufacturing will cost no more than approximately $5 for quantities of approximately 10,000. The device must be highly reliable and able to be integrated in a package roughly the size of a deck of playing cards. PHASE I: Design a system capable of extending the life of rechargeable lithium batteries and/or powering munition asset visibility and prognostic-diagnostic sensor devices. PHASE II: Fabricate prototype and demonstrate proof of principle in a laboratory environment using actual munitions prognostic-diagnostic sensors and asset visibility devices. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The technology/system developed could extend the life of a wide variety of items used in the commercial shipping, automotive and aerospace industries, as well as in numerous consumer goods. For example, literally hundreds of millions of battery powered smoke detectors and utility meters in use across the country could benefit. Tremendous cost savings would be realized through reduced or eliminated battery maintenance and increased operational life. Powering non-munition related items within the military is possible as well. Examples include advanced robotic applications, monitoring medical and food supplies and tracking replacement part shipments. REFERENCES: 1) RRAPDS Environmental Sensor Overview & System Demo 2)https://w4.pica.army.mil/asis/RRAPDS-WebJune01_files/frame.htm Thermoelectric generators: 3) http://www.hi-z.com/ 4) http://www.dts-generator.com/ KEYWORDS: Electronics, microelectronics, sensor, prognostics, asset visibility, FCS, Objective Force, reduced logistics footprint, reduced life cycle costs, optimize resources, enhanced re-supply, lethality, enhanced survivability A03-007 TITLE: Nano-Particle Surface Tension Release by Laser Initiation Directory: osbp -> sbir -> solicitations solicitations -> Army sbir 09. 1 Proposal submission instructions dod small Business Innovation (sbir) Program solicitations -> Navy sbir fy09. 1 Proposal submission instructions solicitations -> Army 16. 3 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions solicitations -> Air force 12. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions solicitations -> Army 14. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions solicitations -> Navy small business innovation research program submitting Proposals on Navy Topics solicitations -> Navy small business innovation research program solicitations -> Armament research, development and engineering center solicitations -> Army 17. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions solicitations -> Navy 11. 3 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions Download 1.85 Mb. Share with your friends:
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