Small, Low Cost Emitter Geolocation System for use by SOF Personnel

The geolocater developed under this SBIR will be based on an existing design developed under the DARPA Wolfpack program and adapted for the SOCOM mission. It will be a modular device operating as part of a SOF tool box, and will employ a set of algorithmsthat can be applied to the given emitter type to produce optimum geolocation results. The best algorithm for the situation will be chosen automatically with no soldier input. ISL will analyze and develop these algorithms under this SBIR.Raytheon will be a subcontractor to ISL for this effort, and will supply the brassboard hardware for the Phase I feasibility and Phase II performance demonstrations. This hardware developed under wolfpack, and will be tailored in brassboard form for thisSOCOM sponsored effort. Previous analyses and test support a geolocation accuracy of about 10 meters, which represents targeting accuracy for some weapons and has potential for improvement. The algorithms to be analyzed, evaluated, and refined under thiseffort include traditional and model-based time and angle of arrival (ToA, AoA) as well as amplitude comparison direction finding, model-based power only and various coherent techniques. All of these techniques benefit from location diversity, whichmotivates the placement of the geolocation units in widespread locations. This technology and its realization in system form has application to other DoD agencies. Interest in the DARPA Wolfpack program has been high, and a number of users should also beinterested in a less complex version for geolocation only. There are other potential users at the Federal and State levels, including US Customs, the Border Patrol, The DEA and state and local law enforcement agencies. Situations where cell phone or radiolocation is required are all potential applications.