High Resolution Underwater Passive Threat Detection System

We propose to develop a highly sensitive, low cost system for underwater perimeter control. The setup, designed for protection of waterside facilities and infrastructure, consists of a fiber-optic cable placed in front of a critical or high-value asset, connected to a compact readout system. A single source sends out acoustic sonar pulses. Sensor structures embedded in the fiber in conjunction with innovative mechanical features and a novel readout system form an ultra-sensitive distributed detector for backreflections of any approaching object. A sophisticated data processing algorithm reconstructs the features of the possible intruder, compares it to its decision table and triggers an alarm if indicated. Built-in temperature compensation and self-referencing will allow reliable measurements in diverse environmental conditions. In Phase I, IOS will develop a working model of the sensing array and deliver it to HSARPA for demonstration. A fully functional prototype will be developed and demonstrated in Phase II.