Optimization of an Ionospheric Imaging Instrument for Geosynchronous Orbit

The Marine Corps is currently enhancing its capabilities in Military Operations On Urban Terrain (MOUT) in response to a clear trend toward increased military conflicts in urban settings.The MOUT capability requires new technologies, including a next-generation position-location system that penetrates building walls and tracks individuals within urban structures. This system must be compact, rugged, power-efficient, undetectable by enemypersonnel, and immune from multipath and ambient electromagnetic interference.¿ther Wire has developed a communication/location system-the Localizer-that represents a system that could be optimized to meet these requirements. This system is based on Ultra-Wideband RF communications; its signals are inherently difficult to jam, havegood multipath properties, and can penetrate urban structures.The Localizer represents the current state of the art and is the product of 10 years of internal and Government funded R&D. ¿ther Wire's world class technical expertise will make it possible to meet/exceed the Marine Corps' requirements for MOUT withinthe limited scope of this SBIR effort.For Phase I, ¿ther Wire proposes to 1) address key design issues (e.g., signal attenuation, multipath removal, range limitations, power consumption), 2) construct and test demonstration model, and 3) develop recommendations for further localizerdevelopment in Phase II.Phase I success will lead to a Phase II project focused upon advancing the prototype development and optimization/scale-up of the Localizer system for field demonstration. ¿ther Wire anticipates developing a next-generation Localizer that will provideaccurate personnel identification/location capabilities for the Marines' MOUT applications. This location technology also has diverse commercial potential in applications including asset tracking, fireman buddy systems, home navigation systems for theblind, house-arrest monitors, and automobile collision-avoidance systems.