Expendable Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (ExCTD)
Navy SBIR FY2013.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2013.1
Topic No.: N131-025
Topic Title: Expendable Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (ExCTD)
Proposal No.: N131-025-0384
Firm: Progeny Systems Corporation
9500 Innovation Drive
Manassas, Virginia 20110
Contact: John Thornton
Phone: (858) 715-1203
Web Site: www.progeny.net
Abstract: Progeny will design the Expendable Real Time Conductivity, Temperature and Depth Sensor (ExCTD) using our proven approach of incorporating Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) sensors into a low cost expendable undersea buoyancy driven device. ExCTD will be launched from the submarine, notionally from the 3" launcher, ascend toward the surface while taking measurement and then change buoyance near the surface to descend while still providing real time data. Real time telemetry is provided to the submarine over a two wire communications driven by RS 485 communications architecture. A prototype will be built in Phase I based upon previous research and significant experience with deployable systems prototyping. The prototype will be in water tested to determine the effectives of the design and provide a basis for engineering changes for the Phase I Option where another prototype will be built and tested. The expendable nature of the device requires a low cost approach, and as such a detailed Bill of Materials will be developed, part costs will be estimated and the higher cost parts will have cost reduction approaches applied. Progeny is uniquely qualified to perform this research based upon previous design and experience with all aspects of the ExCTD.
Benefits: The ExCTD will provide real time data to the submarine required for sensor optimization and maneuver decision making. Commerical CTDs are expensive and intended for many uses. An expendable version with real time telemetry data fits a market need whereby researchers that have a need for sparse CTD data and have a limited budget could use them without the need for the more expensive reusable unit.

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