TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Common Laser Range Finder Refresh - ACAT IV

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a MEMS sensor based azimuth determination and navigation sensor.

DESCRIPTION: The sensor must determine the angle from the optical axis of a handheld laser range finder to true north to an accuracy of 2 mils or less within 120 seconds. The proposed sensor must weigh less than 0.5 pounds and be of a size and cost compatible with handheld laser range finders. Additionally, the sensor must maintain the ability to measure observer to target azimuth measurements to an accuracy of 4 mils or less over a period of 20 minutes. During this time, the user must be able to hand carry the rangefinder to different observation points and use the rangefinder handheld, without the use of a tripod or other support system. This will require a gyro with the following minimum parameters: ARW <= 0.003 deg/rt-hr, Bias Instability <= 0.02 degrees/hr, and bias drift <= 0.068 degrees/hr. This will also require accelerometers with the following minimum parameters: Bias <= 2 ug, Bias drift <= 6 ug. Accelerometers of this quality are commercially available. Achieving a better gyro ARW will result in a faster convergence to the azimuth solution, which is highly desirable. State of the art inertial sensor based azimuth determination systems use heavy and bulky ring laser gyroscopes or fiber optic gyroscopes, and are very expensive. Existing MEMS gyroscopes do not have adequate angle random walk, angle white noise, and bias stability to meet sensor accuracy requirements. The main focus of this effort is to develop suitable MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers capable of meeting sensor requirements.

PHASE I: Develop a conceptual MEMS gyroscope and accelerometer design that is capable of meeting sensor requirements. Develop a model for overall sensor performance, identifying trade spaces in gyroscope and accelerometer designs as well as a sensitivity analysis of the design which includes anticipated manufacturing tolerances, as well as overall azimuth and navigation performance of a sensor built with these MEMS sensors. This model should include environmental, wind vibrations, and user motion inflicted upon the sensor that will occur when it is used with a handheld laser range finder.

PHASE II: Produce prototype MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers and perform measurements of performance over time and temperature. Develop a prototype azimuth and navigation sensor based on the selected MEMS sensors and conduct performance tests of the sensor over time, temperature, and motions anticipated by a user carrying the sensor while attached to a handheld laser range finder.

PHASE III: The expected transition product is a TRL level 6 prototype MEMS based azimuth and navigation sensor. Upon successful transition, the Program Office will utilize RDT&E funding for a Phase III effort. This effort will require completion of a production representative design for the Common Laser Range Finder Refresh Program that satisfies the performance, cost, logistical, and schedule goals of the Common Laser Range Finder Refresh program.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Such a sensor is useful for any application requiring accurate determination of azimuth that doesn't depend on a magnetic compass or the GPS constellation. Applications include ship and aircraft navigation, search and rescue operations, surveying, and any general purpose navigation that currently uses a magnetic compass.

REFERENCES:

KEYWORDS: MEMS, Azimuth, Navigation, Targeting, Laser, Rangefinder

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between November 10 and December 12, 2010, you may talk directly with the Topic Authors to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed above. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting December 13, 2011, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

However, proposers may still submit written questions about solicitation topics through the DoD's SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS), in which the questioner and respondent remain anonymous and all questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing until the solicitation closes. All proposers are advised to monitor SITIS (11.1 Q&A) during the solicitation period for questions and answers, and other significant information, relevant to the SBIR 11.1 topic under which they are proposing.

If you have general questions about DoD SBIR program, please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk at (866) 724-7457 or email weblink.