TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 264 Air ASW Systems; PMA-290 Maritime Patrol and Recon. Aircraft

OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative method of determining the position of sonobouys which does not require the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

DESCRIPTION: Existing sonobouy positioning systems do not have the ability to adequately determine the location of sonobouys in the ocean. Mark on top indicators do not determine the range, and therefore cannot locate the position of the bouy with the 100 yds desired. Although small, low power GPS systems have been developed, they are easily jammed. An innovative alternative approach is desired that is less susceptible to jamming. Independence from the GPS satellite constellation and compatibility with low power sonobouy systems, including future digital and commandable units is desired. Low power usage within the expendable unit must be maintained as well. There are several potential new approaches that have become practical with the advancements in computer processing and software controlled radios that were not possible even several years ago. For instance 1) a phased array receiver with a software controlled radio can analyse in real time multiple signals, track the location via the array antenna, and locate each source with a very small radio / FPGA subsystem that can completely independent of the existing acoustic receiver systems; 2) Advanced computer tracking of multiple Doppler signals with computer controlled radio signal analyzers and computing systems can be used to locate transmitters, also independent of the existing systems and residing in a very small package.

PHASE I: Identify and define a positioning system for sonobouys drifting in the ocean. Develop an engineering performance model that can be used to analyze the expected performance of the approach. Cost, size and weight should be compatible with A size sonobouys. Demonstration of key attributes of the system in a laboratory environment is desired.

PHASE II: Demonstrate the prototype hardware by tracking of multiple simulated sonobouys in a moving field. A demonstration with floats in a real ocean environment should occur. All critical component performance attributes should be demonstrated to the extent possible – or a clear engineering / production path to obtain them presented.

PHASE III: Integration of engineering development models of the system into real sonobouys and aircraft (P-3, H-60, or surrogate) . Demonstration of system performance suitable to move the system into the NAVY POM cycle and integration. Transition the system into the sonobouys and aircraft used for monitoring the sonobouys.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology would potentially provide alternative methods to monitor the location and movement of personnel and equipment with radio transmitters, independent of GPS, in non-GPS environments like in a building or underground.

REFERENCES:
1. Introduction to GPS: The Global Positioning System (Hardcover) by Ahmed El-Rabbany-Available from Amazon Books

2. Global Positioning System: Theory and Practice (Paperback); by B. Hofmann-Wellenhof (Author), H. Lichtenegger (Author), J. Collins – Available from Amazon Books

3. Global Positioning System: Signals, Measurements, and Performance, Second Edition (2006) By Pratap Misra and Per Enge ISBN 0-9709544-1-7 Ganga-Jamuna Press, P. O. Box 692, Lincoln, MA 01773 .

4. Website: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commrxvr/0014.html - Example of software radio capabilities

5. Chestnut, P. C., IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, vol. AES-18, Mar. 1982, p. 214-218. Emitter location accuracy using TDOA and differential Doppler; http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1982ITAES..18..214C

6. Doppler Telemetry System for the Evaluation of Low Speed Movements in the Atmosphere; Mihail E. T_anase, Corneliu I. Toma, Dan Gh. T. Popa, and Ioan Lie; http://factaee.elfak.ni.ac.yu/fu2k43/Toma.pdf

KEYWORDS: Sonobouy; Position; Tracking; Location; Drift; Current; software radio signal analyzer

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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