Autonomous Handheld Navigation/Communication/Tracking System

In complex man-machine systems, increasing performance of computing and sensor technology often places proportionate new demands on system operators. For example, in Naval sonar systems, tremendous increases in sensor and signal processing capacity haveimposed increasingly difficult demands on sonar operators conducting search. Consequently, overall system effectiveness is reduced and varies widely with operator level of expertise. The objective of this research project is to continue development ofnew means for improving overall sonar system effectiveness through activity-based automation. In Phase I, feasibility of a novel operator Performance Support System (PSS) for managing operator passive search tasks was demonstrated. This PSS incorporatesan embedded cognitive agent, based on knowledge elicited from expert sonar operators, that assists the sonar operator in managing their search effort in response to tactical, environmental, and system context. Phase II will continue advanced developmentof this PSS as well as extend its application to other tasks such as active search. This effort will include refining and extending cognitive models of expert sonar operators, as well as design and implementation of appropriate controls and displays.Resulting prototypes will be tested and evaluated as part of the sonar Advanced Processing Build (APB) program peer review process.If successful, such technology can be transitioned into laboratory and at-sea testing leading eventually to certification and deployment in the AN/BQQ-10 sonar system. Such technology could also find application in other Naval and military sensor systemssuch as Electronic Surveillance, as well as commercial systems where human operators are required to continually monitor and/or search large data streams, such as in process control and security systems.