Wearable High-Power Microwave Exposure Sensor

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has developed a prototype, novel, low-cost wearable sensor to indicate when personnel or equipment has been exposed to high-power microwave (HPM) weapons. The sensor is lightweight, self-powered and designed to fit within a pocket. The prototype includes a wideband antenna, detection circuit and permanent indicator that alerts the wearer upon exposure to an HPM environment (>100 W/m2). The development of this product is motivated by the increasing use of HPM weapons on the battlefield, the need to protect military personnel and the suspected “Havana Syndrome” attacks that have been reported around the world. In addition, with the increasing use of electronics in the military, and the use of High Power Microwave devices by the US and its adversaries, the threat of microwave damage to equipment has grown. This damage may result in equipment with latent failures that become apparent only when the equipment is used. Given the battery-less form of the PSI detector, placement on sensitive equipment or inclusion in shipping containers will indicate exposure similar to shock-watch sensors. PSI successfully completed the Phase I program and identified sensor improvements for inclusion during the Phase II program resulting in a product ready for low-rate initial production.