Wearable Radio-Frequency Detection

To address the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA’s) need for a low-size, -weight, -power, and-cost (SWaP‑ C), wearable radio-frequency (RF) detection system, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) developed the new Wearable Radio-Frequency Detection (WARN) device, based on passive RF detection combined with micro-power digital conversion and recording in a novel device that achieves breakthroughs in decreased SWaP and cost compared to existing technologies. Specifically, innovations in resistively damped wide-band antennas, a passive RF detection core, electromagnetic shielding, and tight mechanical integration meet all DHA requirements. WARN provides a reusable, rugged, long-life device, which can be widely distributed on the battlefield to reliably detect and record any injurious RF exposure. It has the capability to signal users in real-time of exposure that is immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). In Phase I, Intellisense analyzed RF bioeffects common to U.S. and ally military RF equipment, as well as potential enemy weapon system emission levels and frequencies to determine optimal detector threshold sensitivity. Based on extensive experience in this field, Intellisense designed a low SWaP-C, low false‑positive, easily readable, and wearable RF weapon exposure detector prototype that demonstrated full functionality for the target application. In Phase II, Intellisense will review any non-open-source information regarding military RF systems and RF bioeffects provided by the government. Based on that information, Intellisense will further develop and test sensor components, model the performance, and integrate them into prototypes to be tested to verify model predictions. Intellisense will assess system performance of the prototypes in a representative environment, conduct environmental testing, and submit prototypes to DHA for operational utility evaluations.