Innovative Acoustic Sensor(s) for Multiple Acquisition

Current Army acoustic ground sensors are able to detect, track, and classify single vehicles but have great difficulty in performing these functions when multiple closely spaced vehicles are involved. However, it is precisely this capability that is ofgreatest interest to field commanders, who want to know the numerical size of an enemy mechanized force. To meet this need, ORINCON proposes to develop acoustic algorithms capable of identifying and counting all vehicles within a 1000m square grid.During Phase I, we will define operational scenarios, evaluate alternative sensor configurations, analyze data from acoustic ground sensors, and develop and validate the required acoustic algorithms. This effort will build on previous ORINCON experiencein acoustic detection and classification for the Army, Navy, and DARPA; adaptive beamforming for the Navy; and tracking and data fusion for a number of DoD customers. During Phase II, we will implement the recommended sensor configuration, fine tune thealgorithms for real-time operation, and conduct a proof-of-principle demonstration in a target-rich field environment. Success during Phase II will allow for transition of these algorithms to other military battlefield surveillance and perimetermonitoring applications. Commercial applications also exist for airport and industrial security and highway traffic monitoring and control.The detection, classification, and counting algorithms for acoustic ground sensors developed for this SBIR willprovide a significant enhancement to US Army battlefield awareness capabilities by providing field commanders with information necessary for decisions about fire missions. Our commercialization strategy involves multiple components, includingtransitioning of these algorithms to other military applications, such as perimeter monitoring, and potential inclusion of this software as a special option feature of our RIPPENr software package that we sell commercially. We also plan to investigate thecivilian application, through license agreements, of these acoustic algorithms to airport and industrial security and highway traffic monitoring and control.