High Data Rate Acoustic Modem Based on Piezocomposite Arrays Navy SBIR FY2013.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2013.2 Topic No.: N132-138 Topic Title: High Data Rate Acoustic Modem Based on Piezocomposite Arrays Proposal No.: N132-138-0865 Firm: Materials Systems Inc. 543 Great Road Littleton, Massachusetts 01460 Contact: Brian Pazol Phone: (978) 486-0404 Web Site: www.matsysinc.com Abstract: Through this effort, Materials Systems Inc. and its teams, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Woods Hole Analytical Sciences, will develop an Ultra High Frequency (0.5-1 MHz) Acoustic Modem for transmitting information through ocean acoustic channels at bit rates of approximately 500 Kbps over ranges from 10 to 100 meters. The MSI concept utilizes its expertise in design and development of piezocomposite transducer arrays to fabricate a modem with compact packaging, wide bandwidths, and a variety of directional characteristics. In this program, the MSI team will design and simulate a UHFAM as well as build a sub-scale prototype and perform in-water testing. Benefits: As more and more AUVs and UUVs are built and deployed, the need for high data rate communication between them and from them to manned vehicles is increasing dramatically. Applications exist in both defense and commercial markets. Aside from the obvious military benefits, the oil and gas industry uses AUVs to make detailed maps of the seafloor before they start building subsea infrastructure and scientists use AUVs to study lakes, the ocean, and the ocean floor. The implementation of MSI?s low cost modems will expand the capabilities of AUVs in these arenas and open the doors for other applications such as in drug trafficking enforcement. Return