Miniature Laser Acoustic Sensor

This proposal describes a novel design for an unattended sensor that uses a laser to detect sound. Its foremost capability is to synthesize a virtual acoustic array that is large and invisible, high in the sky. From this vantage point it would gain line-of-sight access to acoustic sources anywhere within a radius of several kilometers - from a single device on the ground. The main objectives of the Phase 1 project are: (1) to ascertain the performance capability of candidate sensor designs that can be miniaturized and have low-cost potential, and (2) to assess the hardware and software feasibility of the designs. This effort will also result in a plan for conducting a near-term, low-cost demonstration of the concept using commercial-off-the-shelf technology.