Submission of proposals
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)
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| U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)
A00-118 TITLE: High Speed Direct X-ray Imaging System TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors DOD ACQUISITION PROGRAM SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM: Project Manager Soldier Support OBJECTIVE: Design a high-resolution, high-speed digital x-ray imaging system capable of recording a minimum of eight images at an equivalent 100,000 frames per second under harsh conditions presented by an explosive test environment. The system shall provide sequential, near real-time digital x-rays in non-destructive medical and destructive live fire test applications. High-speed, high-resolution (medical diagnostic quality) digital x-rays are required to analyze the effectiveness of personal protective equipment exposed to a variety of threats. Types of tests and research conducted against personal protective equipment try to eliminate overpressure and blunt trauma injuries associated with anti-personnel mines, small caliber weapons, explosive blasts and resulting fragmentation. DESCRIPTION: There is a need for a multi-image, high-speed, high-resolution (medical diagnostic quality) digital x-ray system, capable of recording high velocity events. Current digital x-ray systems used in the medical community (Ref 1-3) provide a single high-resolution image integrated over a relatively long time period dependent upon what part of the body is being imaged. This time can be as long as ½ a second in the case of a chest x-ray to provide just one image. Although, technologically sound, this approach is not fast enough to stop the motion of small arm rounds, explosive land mine fragments or the crack propagation in bones subjected to an external force received in blunt trauma injuries. The developed system will need to be able to use very short x-ray pulses between 25 and 70 nanoseconds duration to stop motion in these high velocity events. The developed technology will need to capture and record a minimum of 8 independently computer programmed and triggered high-resolution diagnostic images with a minimum of 10us between each image (equivalent 100,000 frames per second recording speed). This will allow sufficient data points and a visual timeline to be constructed of these fast events for data reduction purposes. The entire area the system should be able to image is 2 feet square since this is the area of interest on a typical explosive or personnel mine interaction test. The system should be portable and ruggedized for use in harsh destructive field environments with extreme shock and over pressures, allowing digital x-ray data acquisition of these explosive events. Full programming, control and viewing must be provided from a remote location up to 2 kilometers due to safety requirements of the various explosive tests. PHASE I: Produce a detailed plan for developing the total system and a design for each component. Define in detail how the requirements can be met and estimate the cost of developing the total system. Identify the system components or sub-systems and how they integrate to provide multiple images in a hostile environment transmitted in near real time up to two kilometers from the event. PHASE II: Implement the technology developed in Phase I, proceed with prototype development of a demonstration system and demonstrate performance of the system and quality of the digital x-ray images on actual test projects at Aberdeen Test Center. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: There are numerous applications for use throughout Department of Defense, medical research, automotive testing, ergonomic and bioengineering studies. For example head, neck and pelvic injuries in automobile crash testing and airbag deployment tests, de-mining operations protection devices tests, law enforcement protective clothing tests and blunt-trauma studies in non-lethal weapons testing. OPERATING AND SUPPORT COST (OSCR) REDUCTION: Currently there is no direct digital x-ray system that is high-speed and high resolution (medical diagnostic quality) enough to stop motion and provide multiple full resolution images of a high velocity event. The lack of this information often leads to speculation on the exact sequence of events in a dynamic test scenario. This leads to multiple retest and design changes to verify the assumptions made by lack of sufficient data points. This system shall be designed to minimize design and testing costs by providing clear qualitative images of the test event. REFERENCES: 1. Direct vs Indirect conversion process. Direct Radiography Corp. www.directray.com 2. Flash X-ray systems. Maxwell Physics International. www.maxwell.com 3.Amorphous-silicon image sensors. DpiX Inc. www.dpix.com 4. Honour,J and Hadland, R (1987) Cinemax intensifier for high speed cameras. Proc.SPIE 832, 361-364. KEYWORDS: x-ray, radiography, high-speed imaging, and digital imaging A00-119 TITLE: High Resolution/High Speed Infra-Red Imagers TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors OBJECTIVE: New or novel techniques and/or technologies are solicited for the development of advanced high speed and high-resolution infrared imagers systems. The goal of such systems are to provide resolutions on the order of 1 mega pixel at frame rates on the order of 250 frames per second. Realization of these goals is anticipated to require the use of materials with high quantum efficiencies in the mid infrared region, such as InSb and implement Focal Plane Arrays architectures that are not charge transfer devices. Current state of the art IR camera systems can provide either the required resolutions or frame rates, but not both simultaneously. To realize the objective of this effort, it is anticipated that a deviation from traditional IR imager design architectures will be required. As can be learned from advancements in visible cameras where these performance barriers have been overcome, the investigator may consider the use of active pixel architecture applied to an InSb or other suitable high quantum efficiency substrate. DESCRIPTION: Significant improvements in the collection of infrared imagery are required to address deficiencies encountered in the Test and Evaluation (T&E) of military systems where it is often necessary to collect IR imagery during the conduct of weapons testing. An example of such is a missile launch or engagement IR imagery is crucial to T&E of the weapons systems performance. The speed at which events of intrest occur and the lack of suitable IR imager technologies have forced T&E ranges to compromise resolution for speed. For example within the Army at White Sands Missile Range, successful development of high performance imagers (Ref 1.0) has been successfully executed to the limits of the then available technology and provided IR camera systems that begin to approach the the needs of T&E ranges. Similarly, a complemenatry effort within the Navy T&E range at China Lake, the MIRIS project IR camera system development is also advancing IR camera systems for T&E applications. Despite the advances made by White Sands and China Lake, the full requirements of the T&E ranges for IR imagers is yet to be realized. Beyond T&E ranges, a review of the current state of the art IR image collection indicates that despite current and past industry and government efforts, the combination of a high resolution and high frame rates for IR imagers has not yet been achieved. Limitations in the performance of current state of the art IR camera system may be attributed to physical limitations in the architectures employed in Focal Plane Arrays (FPA). Minor to radical changes to IR imager designs and philosophys may be necessary if significant improvements are to be realized in IR imaging. The investigators shall identify, research and develop such architectures. The technology developed shall be suitable for use in the mid-wavelength IR band (i.e. nominally the 3 - 5 micron wavelength). Design goals are to simultaneously provide pixel densities on the order of 1k x 1k at frame rates on the order of 200 frames per second and with 10 to 12 bit digitization. The developed technology should be scaleable to allow even greater pixel densities at similar frame rates. Monolithic sensors are perferred over tiled. In addition to the resolution and speed, other specifications that the sensors shall provide such as high quantum efficiency, good dynamic range, sensitivity, noise, etc. are to be comparable or better than current state of the art devices while minimizing blooming and smearing effects. PHASE I: The investigator shall conduct the necessary analysis and research to develop the technology for the design and fabrication of IR sensors and associated cameras that can simultaneously provide high speeds and high resolutions as described above. The analysis and research shall provide the basis for a full-scale camera prototype development in Phase II. Technical risk is to be minimized by leveraging. PHASE II: The investigator shall proceed with prototype development and demonstration of the technology proposed in Phase I. The full-scale camera development shall ensure that other issues beyond the sensor are addressed. These issues include but are not limited to memory management, high-speed data interface, data timing, real time image viewing, etc. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: There is a tremendous world wide application for significantly improved IR imagers. Improved imagers will find wide spread use in law enforcement, industrial inspection systems, search and rescue, military, aviation, and pssibly even in emerging consumer automotive applications to aid night driving. REFERENCES: 1. High Frame Rate IR and Visible Cameras for Test Range Instrumentation, SPIE July 1995, Dr. Joseph Ambrose and Brad King (White Sands Missile Range) and John Tower et. al Sarnoff Laboratories 2. 640 x 480 MWIR and LWIR Camera System Developments, SPIE 1992, John Tower, Sarnoff Laboratories 3. Summer 1999 Update - Law Enforcement Technologies, http://www.acq.osd.mil/bmdo/bmdolink/html/update/sum99/updhor2.htm 4. Rydberg Atoms Enable High Speed IR Imaging: Photonics Technology News, July 1999, www.laurin.com/Content/Jul99/techRydberg.html From: KEYWORDS: Infra-Red, IR, imagers, cameras, sensors, FPA A00-120 TITLE: Image Generation for Forward Looking Infrared Sensor Stimulation TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative methods for improving fidelity and realism in simulated infrared (IR) imagery. The proposed methods may include some combination of physics-based research, mathematical modeling, novel simulation techniques, and the development of advanced hardware/software IR simulation tools. The effort should leverage available commercial and government computer, simulation, and gaming technologies. However, applying more hardware to existing solutions will not likely yield the desired level of performance. The realism of the developed method should far surpass that of any existing capability. The developed system will be used to simulate mission scenarios as seen through the aperture of an aviation-based Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) system. The realism of the simulation must be sufficient for performing objective FLIR test and evaluation (T&E) tasks, such as demonstrating that targeting algorithms perform identically between real mission imagery and a simulation of the same mission. DESCRIPTION: There are many image generation resources commercially available for entertainment and training applications. Entertainment applications combine realism with fantasy, while training applications, such as a flight simulator, requires a close resemblance to reality. FLIR sensor simulation and stimulation for T&E applications require even further realism and simulation fidelity than training simulators. Simulating IR imagery is more complicated than visible imagery since the energy comes from both reflected energy and emitted energy. Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) or government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) IR scene generation tools are currently available, as well as commercial entertainment games. The existing IR scene generation tools have focused on ground-based and missile applications, however the tools are not currently adequate to meet the fidelity and realism requirements of rotorcraft aviation T&E applications. Additionally, these tools do not offer true physics-based realism for IR target and background signatures for most scenarios. Aviation missions are much longer than missile missions. As a result, very large databases and high-resolution real-time rendering are required to adequately simulate a low-altitude aviation mission. This is compounded with wide fields of view for navigation and search. Additionally, the eye-point may be above, at, or below the tree-top height, and targets of interest may be partially occluded by trees, branches, etc. Successful rotorcraft aviation IR simulation would therefore require looking through various vegetation from above or below the tree-top canopy as well as simulating varying tree types and heights. Other features of interest to aviators are also required, such as power and phone lines, radio towers, guide wires, clouds, etc. Other areas to be addressed include surface reflections, glint off water, horizon anomalies, and atmospheric effects. The simulated aviation IR imagery created in this effort will have broad utility. Some of the specific imagery generated in this effort will be used to drive the Mobile Infrared Scene Projector (MIRSP). The MIRSP emits long-wave IR imagery into the aperture of an installed FLIR sensor. The MIRSP is capable of driving a 544 x 672 resistor array at 30 Hz. It is capable of projecting up to 5 minutes of stored imagery or to continually navigate a simulated database. It is very important to validate the realism of the simulated IR imagery. For example, search and track algorithm performance during a flight test should be repeatable using a simulated version of the same flight test. Some test imagery may be available, but a contractor’s ability to gather FLIR data for simulation validation would be preferable. PHASE I: Design a method to improve fidelity and realism in simulated IR image scene generators. The proposed method may include some combination of physics-based research, mathematical modeling, novel simulation techniques, and the development of hardware/software tools. A method will be designed that will generate realistic infrared simulations of arbitrary aviation mission scenarios. The tool will build on available COTS and GOTS simulation and gaming technology. The designed method should be physics-based, incorporating parameters such as temperature cycles, environmental and atmospheric effects, date and time effects, surface reflections, glint off water, horizon anomalies, etc. Components in the designed method may also include advancements in target and/or background modeling, terrain and texture paging, compression techniques, or any other techniques for increased polygonal throughput. Simulation validation against real infrared data should be demonstrated using a prototype version of the designed method. PHASE II: Develop the method designed in Phase 1. Simulated imagery generated from the new system will be projected through the MIRSP (or other IR scene projector) into a unit under test. Recorded simulated imagery will be compared with recorded flight test imagery for a given scenario to determine the degree of realism. Changes to the new system may be made to increase the degree of validation, and a new scenario simulated. Depending on budgetary and time constraints, this cycle may be repeated to complete a validated infrared scene generation system. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: In addition to supporting aviation-based applications, the developed method will provide ground vehicle and missile applications revolutionary realism and flexibility in the use of IR simulations. Realistic infrared (IR) simulation will facilitate new dimensions in search-and-rescue and covert law enforcement operations. Objects of interest could be realistically simulated in the natural environment allowing for quick training and decisive use of available resources. Atmospheric effects such as rain, fog, or smoke, can be accurately simulated in urban environments, which also include towers, poles, wires, etc. This technology will also bring about better pilot training systems, nighttime security systems, and manufacturing quality inspection by training automated systems with specific imagery based on accurate thermal predictions. When used in conjunction with an IR scene projector (the original intended use), then all installed IR systems on aircraft, satellites, ships, automobiles, security systems, etc. can be thoroughly evaluated and characterized prior to initial delivery or as part of continuing maintenance. (Installed systems testing highlights overall performance of integrated system as opposed to the performance of the stand-alone sensor.) IR target detection and identification can be integrated into automobiles for nighttime situational awareness and collision avoidance. Additional realism for entertainment applications may also prove feasible. OPERATING AND SUPPORT COST (OSCR) REDUCTION: Use of realistic infrared simulation in scene projection systems will allow for installed system test points not achievable in flight tests. Search and track algorithms can be tested and tuned shortly before a mission. Mission rehearsal with installed FLIR systems will be achievable for the first time. FLIR system failures can be diagnosed and characterized while installed in aircraft. KEYWORDS: infrared scene projection, MIRSP, infrared stimulation, infrared simulation, infrared modeling REFERENCES: Zabel, K., Stone, R., Martin, L., Robinson, R., and Manzardo, M., “Utilization of a Mobile Infrared Scene Projector for Hardware-in-the-Loop Test and Evaluation of Installed Imaging Infrared Sensors,” Proc. of the SPIE, Vol. 3697, No. 11, (Orlando FL) 1999 A00-121 TITLE: High-Output Near-Monodisperse Aerosol Generator OBJECTIVE: Design and build a portable, high-output, low shear-force, near-monodisperse (almost uniform in particle size) inkjet-type aerosol generator with aerosol particle size control that is capable of generating variable final dried-down particles of sizes from one to ten microns diameter as desired. The aerosol will be generated from a slurry containing biological particles of approximately 1 micron and aggregates thereof. The aerosol generator will be employed in tests pertaining to national biological defense programs. DESCRIPTION: Performance evaluation of biological aerosol detection systems against biological warfare agent attacks requires a substantial supply of near-monodisperse biological aerosol particles with dried-down sizes of 1-10 microns, depending on the item being tested. Currently, there is no aerosol generator that can meet the requirement because they are either too low in output or high in output but generate a high percentage of particles that lie outside the desired size range. In addition, some of these aerosol generators exert detrimental shear force on the biological particles as they exit the orifice or nozzle of the generator. The shear force may rupture the biological particles, leading to inaccurate results for evaluation of the detection systems. This solicitation seeks effort to design and develop a portable, high-output, low shear-force aerosol generator that can generate near-monodisperse biological aerosol with adjustable dried-down sizes of 1-10 microns, at the rate of approximately 75,000 to 1.5 million particles/min, as measured with the Aerodynamic Particle Sizer. At this rate, the output will be appropriate for biological defense device testing in environmental chambers, but not high enough to be used for offensive purposes. PHASE I: Develop an overall system design and conduct a feasibility study to illustrate the proof-of-principle of the aerosol generator. PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate the full-size prototype and optimization of parameters. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: This generator can be adapted for use in dissemination of agricultural agents and fire retardants. It can also be used to disseminate chemical and biological decontaminants in equipment or large area decontamination operations. OPERATING AND SUPPORT COST (OSCR) REDUCTION: Monodispersity of biological aerosol produces accurate useful data, and therefore reduces the cost for make-up trials. In addition, the near-monodispersity capability of the aerosol generator reduces the quantity of biological simulants required to achieve the desired concentration, hence more cost-effective. REFERENCES: P.C. Reist; Aerosol Science and Technology, 2nd Edition; McGraw-Hill, NY, 1993. KEYWORDS: aerosol, near-monodispersity, generator, high-output, biological, shear-force A00-122 TITLE: Low Cost High-Resolution Radar System TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics OBJECTIVE: Design a low-cost, ultra-reliable, high-resolution radar measuring system and research the high-risk areas of this system. DESCRIPTION: There is a need for a low-cost, high-resolution, ultra-reliable radar imaging system to augment tracking radars (Ref 1 or 2). This radar system will provide high-resolution imaging data for processing with Complex-Image Analysis (Ref 3) to obtain measurements of miss distance, attitude, object deployment and extent of damage. This system must have a range resolution of one foot; it must be sufficiently sensitive to collect data on small targets at long ranges; it must not interfere with other radars; and it must be capable of unattended remote operation. It will be slaved to the tracking radars (i.e., use data from the tracking radars to position the angles and range gate) and it must record or transmit the data in real time for post-mission processing. This radar system should make extensive use of commercial off-the-shelf hardware, solid-state components, digital waveform generation, and high-speed signal processing. Ultimately, this system will consist of five imaging radar units, all interconnected and coordinated from a central location. PHASE I: Produce a detailed plan for developing the total system and a design for the individual radar units. Define in detail how the requirements can be met and estimate the cost of developing the total system. Identify the system components or sub-systems which pose the greatest risk and show how those risks will be retired. Potential high-risk areas include digital waveform generation (stability, low noise, versatility of waveform, processing of long pulses), use of solid state and/or CW transmitter components (stability, low noise, reliability, low cost, pulse width vs peak power), interoperability (control of multiple stations, remote operation, avoiding interference and eclipsing), and data recording or transmission (data volume). PHASE II: Research the high-risk areas identified in Phase I. Implement critical components of one of the radar units and demonstrate performance of the unit and the quality of the radar image using actual WSMR radar targets. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: There are many test ranges in the U.S. and throughout the world that are candidates for a low-cost, ultra reliable, high-resolution radar imaging capability to augment tracking radars. OPERATING AND SUPPORT COST (OSCR) REDUCTION: This system will be designed to minimize initial cost, operating costs and support costs. It will be slaved to the tracking radars to avoid all the costs of developing independent tracking functions. It will use solid state components to ensure the reliability needed for unattended operation, as well as for long life. It will use digital waveform generation for stability, versatility and reliability, thus reducing the maintenance costs. REFERENCES: 1. A Radar Road Map, ITEA Journal, Sep/Oct 1998, p. 31 (Imaging Radars section, pp. 35 & 36) 2. The Radar Roadmap, Range Commanders Council, Electronic Trajectory Measurements Group, RCC Report 260-98 (Imaging Radars section, p. 9) 3. Radar Resolution and Complex-Image Analysis, A.W. Rihaczek and S.J. Hershkowitz, Artech House, 1996 KEYWORDS: High-resolution radar, imaging radar, target imaging, instrumentation radars A00-123 TITLE: Ruggedized High Volume Tracking System TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Materials/Processes DOD ACQUISITION PROGRAM SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM: Program Manager - Range Instrumentation Systems OBJECTIVE: New or novel technology is solicited for the development of a compact ruggedized system for the collection of time space and position information (TSPI) from large numbers of live participants engaged inmilitary test or training exercises. The developed instrumentation is to operate under harsh conditions presented by a military tactical environment. The individual devices are to be compacting fully autonomous and only minimally intrusive to the system or persons being tracked. The developed technology will provide very small instrumentation packages allowing for the simultaneous collection of TSPI from at least 1000 participants. Participants may range from individual foot soldiers, to ground vehicles, aircraft, and ships. The range of the system should be at least 250 miles. The individual participant data packages are to be very compact and very cost effective, relatively. DESCRIPTION: Large-scale test and training exercises often involve many thousands of participants. It is common for such exercises to require as many of the participants as possible to be tracked in real time. Past approaches have commonly used separate Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers coupled with separate data radios. Although, technologically sound, this approach often led to bulky and inefficient implementations. The technology to be pursed in this application is the miniaturizing of the differential GPS package and data relay system (e.g. data radios). The entire volume of a participant package should be on the order of 50 cubic inches, including the GPS receiver, data relay, power supplies (e.g. high capacity batteries), antennas, etc. Each individual participant data package must have a very low power consumption rate to allow autonomous operation for at least 7 days without being serviced. Full addressable control and configuration of each individual participant package is to be provided from a remote central host and Geographic Information System (GIS). Collected participant TSPI data is to be routed or relayed to the central GIS for processing with no more than a 100 ms latency. PHASE I: The investigator shall conduct the necessary research and design analysis to develop a ruggedized and miniaturized GPS based tracking system as described above PHASE II: The investigator shall proceed with prototype development of a demonstration system of the technology proposed in Phase I. The prototype system shall demonstrate the capability of tracking at least 50 participants and be scaleable to at least 1000. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Tremendous application for this technology exist for this in commercial markets. For example, tracking of emergency vehicles and personnel engaged in large scale emergency actions such a forest fires, weather disasters, police forces, etc. OPERATING AND SUPPORT COST (OSCR) REDUCTION: Currently there is no efficient means of acurately providing TSPI data on large numbers of participants, especially foot soldiers and ground vehicles, (>1000) that are engaged in test and training exercises without the use of bulky and intrusive devices. The lack of this information often leads to speculation on the exact location of participants. In some cases such as the All Service Combat ID Evaluation Test (ASCIET), this is unacceptable and can lead to erroneous assessments. The consequences may negate the effectivness of an exercise and its associated cost which often is in the millions of dollars. REFERENCES: a. Interstate Electronics Corporation - http://www.iechome.com/gps/gpsfrme.htm b. Trimble Corporation – http://www.trimble.com c. Javad Corporation – http://www.javad.com KEYWORDS: GPS, Time Space and Position Information, TSPI Download 1.22 Mb. Share with your friends:
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