Integration of Advanced Magnetic Sensors into Underwater Vehicles to Provide High-Quality Spatiotemporal Magnetic Data

"Operating a vector-component magnetic sensor in motion with high sensitivity is challenging. Compensation of motion noise is classically achieved by configuring the sensor as a magnetic gradiometer and taking advantage of the fact that the earth'smagnetic field is spatially nearly uniform. Quantum Magnetics, working with the Navy and IBM Research, has developed a unique sensor configuration, the Realtime Tracking Gradiometer (RTG) that solves the dynamic range challenges particularly well.Operating such a sensor in a low-cost Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) adds still more technical challenge: that of negating locally-generated magnetic interference without compromising the sensor's motion noise immunity or its responsivity to detectiontargets. In Phase I, we demonstrated the efficacy of two complementary approaches to mitigate local interference. One, developed by Quantum, modifies the RTG hardware, and another, developed by the Navy's Coastal System Center, adapts the noisecompensation algorithm. In the Phase II Base effort, we will provide the Navy with a version of the RTG specifically designed and ready for AUV integration. We will support the Navy in sensor integration into an AUV and demonstration at sea.BENEFITS: Thetechnology developed under this program will add to the Navy's organic MCM capability. It can also be adapted for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for locating underground facilities. Private-sec