Fiber Optic E-Field Sensing Gunshot Locator

The use of electro-optic (EO) crystals in electric field measurements has gained considerable momentum over recent years. This is due to their compact size, lightweight, all dielectric and fiber optic make-up, large dynamic range, high damage threshold, and large intrinsic bandwidth. Leveraging on Agiltron"s extensive experience in developing and producing ultra broadband and high frequency fiber optic E-field sensing system, compact EO based fiber optic sensors, switches and variable optical attenuators commercially, we propose to design and produce the fiber optic E-field sensor based gunshot locator which is at a low cost, with small size, light weight, has low power consumption and is affordable to the Army for insertion in OGPK. In Phase I, a comprehensive analysis and development will be performed to design and prototype the sensitive fiber optic E-field sensors, the data acquisition and processing algorisms which will be evaluated experimentally for integration with a low cost detection system in Phase II. This fiber optic sensor based system will be also designed to have high shock and vibration resistance. Based on success in Phase I, we will prototype the fully functioning and integrated fiber optic gunshot locator in Phase II for field evaluation.