Ultra-Low-Cost Magnetic Sensors for Submarine Detection

This work seeks to develop ultra-low-cost antisubmarine surveillance devices based on NVE Corporation's mass-producible solid-state magnetic sensor technology. The sensors will be used in shallow littoral waters to protect against surprise attack by enemysubmarines. NVE's spin-dependent tunneling sensors are fabricated using thin-film processing techniques that are compatible with semiconductor manufacturing processes and will allow wafer-scale integration with electronic circuitry. The resultingintegrated sensor units, when produced in high volume, should be inexpensive enough to permit high-density distribution in the area to be protected.In this Phase I effort, we will produce two conceptual designs for mass-producible submarine detectors incorporating NVE's magnetic sensor, electronics, battery and acoustic transmitter. We will evaluate the technical feasibility of the magnetic tripwireapproach as well as the feasibility and projected cost of a high-volume manufacturing process. Based on a preliminary manufacturing cost analysis, we expectto be able to manufacture the proposed devices for less than one dollar each. High-density application of ultra-low-cost sensors may be a cost effective alternative to current anti-submarine sonar systems used in shallow littoral regions. Similar systems may be used in terrestrial applications to protect against surprise attackon military installations or terrorist attack on civilian facilities. The fabrication technology developed under this program would also allow the integration of electronic compasses in power and cost sensitive consumer goods such as wristwatches andcellular telephones.