Littoral Sensors for Naval Special Forces Navy STTR FY2005 Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2005 Topic No.: N05-T027 Topic Title: Littoral Sensors for Naval Special Forces Proposal No.: N054-027-0098 Firm: SonTek/YSI Inc. 6837 Nancy Ridge Drive, Suite A San Diego, California 92121 Contact: Vadim Polonichko Phone: (858) 546-8327 Web Site: www.sontek.com Abstract: We propose to develop a compact, easily deployed (diver, small boat, helicopter) sensor system that transmits shallow-water (between the shoreline and about 15-m water depth) observations of waves, currents, water temperature, tides, and other parameters via satellite or cellular telephone to a receiving station on board a ship or on land. Consultation with Navy Special Forces will determine the optimal set of parameters to measure and transmit. The sensor systems will include acoustic Doppler current meters combined with existing satellite communications hardware and unique mounting frames. Based on experience obtained during several ONR-funded research projects, the PIs have shown that these instruments provide high quality measurements of waves and currents in nearshore waters, even in the surfzone where the presence of wave-breaking generated bubbles and suspended sediment complicate acoustic velocimetry. On-board data processing will reduce high-resolution time-series measurements to easily transmitted parameters (e.g., mean current speed, wave height and direction, tide level, water temperature) required by Special Forces for operations and for initializing numerical model simulations of littoral processes. Benefits: One of the primary benefits of the proposed research and development will be a sensor system that extends the advanced capabilities of acoustic Doppler current meters to a wide range of end users, including Navy Special Forces (littoral operations) police and lifeguards (beach and swimmer safety), public health officials and the Coast Guard (pollutant and spill monitoring), harbor masters (vessel traffic safety), and schools (educational tool). In addition, many components of the developed solution could be combined with existing products to enhance capabilities. For example, the advanced real time wave algorithms could be incorporated into SonTek's existing Argonaut-XR, ADP, and ADV products. Furthermore, we believe that the potential for simplified telemetry is enormous within the environmental marketplace. Applications for inexpensive, easily deployable Doppler sensing technology could be extended to a wide range of environments, including coastal and riverine settings. We expect that approximately one year after deploying systems to the Navy, a commercially available device will be available. It is our intention to offer a total package solution, that driven by economies of scale, will result in a less-than $10,000 per unit market price. Return