Battlefield Acoustic Signature Analysis

"The use of advanced signal processing techniques such as signal recovery, adaptivebeamforming and beam optimization solutions are explored to realize the potentialfor networked acoustic sensors to detect, track and classify target vehicles. Theability to determine the number and types of vehicles, when closely spaced, is aparticularly challenging motivation. A reasonable cost effective solution is soughtusing acoustic arrays less than four (4) feet across and containing less then eight(8) microphones. Our approach addresses the development of algorithm enhancements,which are additive to the total solution. Unique to this approach is theapplication of Technology Engineering Research Inc (TERI) previously conductedresearch in the use of beamforming methods to detect and track human speakers in acrowded environment for the purpose of speech recognition and speakeridentification. These novel techniques use blind source separation, deconvolution,and maximization algorithms that can determine and extract the multiple targetsignatures within the beam to enhance existing classification algorithms anddiminish background environmental effects. Phase I will be used to review presentlyemployed classification and beamforming techniques and how the proposed newalgorithms will build and enhance these existing solutions. Improvements in blindseparation of targets and advanced adaptive algorithms are being developed by TERIfor use in speech rec