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Techniques for Automatically Exploiting Passive Acoustic Sonar Data
Navy SBIR 2006.2 - Topic N06-138 NAVSEA - Ms. Janet Jaensch - [email protected] Opens: June 14, 2006 - Closes: July 14, 2006 N06-138 TITLE: Techniques for Automatically Exploiting Passive Acoustic Sonar Data TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace ACQUISITION PROGRAM: ACAT I, PMS500 DD(X) Integrated Undersea Warfare (IUSW) OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate automated techniques and processing algorithms for improved passive acoustic data exploitation. DESCRIPTION: Passive ASW capability is required both as an adjunct to active sonar operation and as a primary mode under restricted active emission conditions. Passive ASW has historically required a high level of operator workload and associated manning. In order to reduce manning associated with passive ASW operation, a high level of Detection, Classification and Localization (D/C/L) processing must be automated. Automated, passive ASW operation would provides both true and false alerts to the operator for validation. The operator would then validate true alerts and dismiss false alerts in a timely and accurate manner. Fast validation times contribute to an earlier ASW reaction, allowing for successful engagement action and self defense. Accurate operator validation reduces the probability of false reactions and the unnecessary expenditure of ASW resources. This topic seeks to develop techniques that will reduce involvement by the operator in searching through Passive Broadband (PBB) and Passive Narrowband (PNB) waterfall displays for potential targets to track. Candidate techniques might also include those that provide for the effective assembling of target cues for faster operator validation and template match confidence. All proposed solutions must provide confidence of low False Alert Rates (FAR) while reducing the operator workload, should use a modular software philosophy, and should incorporate associated software into a suitable open architecture system. PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed concept(s) that will enable automated techniques for exploiting passive acoustic data. Provide a Phase II development approach and schedule that contains discrete milestones for product development. PHASE II: Finalize the techniques and develop a prototype based on the design concept(s) proposed in Phase I. In a laboratory environment, demonstrate the viability of automated techniques for exploiting passive acoustic data and the ability to reduce the Passive ASW False Alert Rate. Conduct limited laboratory testing as a means of demonstrating the viability of the prototypes capabilities. Provide a detailed test plan and test report. PHASE III: Utilizing the concept developed during Phase I and II, Work with the Navy and Industry to adapt the automated techniques for exploiting passive acoustic data and passive ASW false alert rate reduction to current surface combatants and to the future ship combat systems. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Techniques developed under this topical area are expected to support automation of monitoring systems that use acoustic sensors. This technology has direct application to numerous commercial sonar systems. This technology could be valuable for use in commercial port security systems deployed on docks, on the sea-floor, and/or aboard commercial vessels. REFERENCES: KEYWORDS: ASW; passive; bellringers; FAR, classification; automation TPOC: Christopher Curtis
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