Sky Polarization-based Orientation Tracking for Live Training Environments

This proposed effort directly addresses the stated need of the solicitation, which is to develop a low cost (less than $2k) sensor that can accurately measure angular rate and position of a weapon system, which is ultra low power, capable of determining absolute heading, and requiring no initial or sustainment calibration. Polaris proposes a novel sky polarization and inertial navigation sensor for orientation tracking of weapons systems, called SkyPOINT. SkyPOINT meets all of these requirements and provides additional capability in that it can calculate absolute roll/pitch in addition to heading. Also, we will team with Applied Research Associates to commercialize SkyPOINT as part of an integrated product which would accelerate transition of the technology to the Army. PST showed promise in that 1-2 mil was possible in SkyPOINT absolute heading measurements, and we expect to achieve TRL 6 by the end of the Phase II SBIR, which would position SkyPOINT for transition with ARA and/or a program office (e.g. PEO STRI) during a Phase III effort.