Low-Cost Sonobuoy Geographic Position Location

"Under the Phase I SBIR effort, NAVSYS has developed a design fora low cost sonobuoy position locator using GPS geolocationtechnology. GPS has been proposed as an alternative for sonobuoygeolocation, but the environment and DoD security requirementsleads to problems with a conventional GPS approach. SAASMcompatible OEM modules that prove P(Y) code tracking capabilityare prohibitively expensive for "disposable" applications such assonobuoy geolocation. NAVSYS low cost tracking technology,TIDGETTM, solves this problem by using a client/server approachto reduce the functionality needed on the GPS geolocationsensor.Under this Phase II SBIR effort we propose to build 20 GPSsonobuoys to demonstrate the P(Y) code TIDGET geolocationcapability. Demonstrations will be performed of the systemperformance and a field demonstration shall be performed underthe contract option.BENEFITS: The low cost P(Y) TIDGET sensor will provide a cost effective geolocation alternative for sonobuoy applications while meeting the DoD PPS security requirements. Other applications include GPS tracking of radiosondes, for wind-finding support ofDoD missions, and geolocation of low cost "smart-sensors" deployed for surveillance applications."