N093-198 TITLE: Sonar Detection / Classification Based on Material Identification

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: NAVSEA, PEO-SUB, PMS 404, Torpedo development. Mr. Michael Michaels

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Define an acoustic concept / algorithm that will enable the identification of the material composition of a detected underwater contact to enhance active sonar systems performance. The proposed concept must identify the phenomena(s) given rise to the material identification clues as well as the waveform design and related signal processing.

DESCRIPTION: The key ingredient to any sonar detection / classification capabilities is the ability to identify the target of interest and eliminating false targets generated by bottom clutter. This ability becomes much more difficult in shallow waters where the clutter provides larger number of false detections / target like contacts. The fundamental problem can be attributed to the fact that generally sonar�s exploit the specular and diffractive scattering from objects which are similar in the active acoustic response from targets and false targets. The novelty of this proposed effort is that it focuses on exploiting the material composition of objects which differ drastically between targets and false targets. If successful this concept would have a major impact in minimizing false targets and correctly identify target (s) of interest.

The U.S. Air Force has developed algorithms for radar for the automatic determination or discrimination, in a setting of intense clutter, of both inorganic and organic materials. The motivation for this SBIR is to see if a similar capability could be achieved in an underwater acoustic environment.

PHASE I: Conduct the R&D needed to mathematically formulate a concept to identify material composition of objects using active sonar. The concept must identify the physics given rise to the clues that will be exploited to identify the material. Additionally the concept must address any unique waveform design and related signal processing.

PHASE II: Complete the R&D to fully support the solution. Then develop algorithms (both Physics and Math modeling based) for material identification in conjunction with conducting acoustic tank sonar experiments to demonstrate the applicability and performance of the new technique for detection and classification for active sonar systems.

PHASE III: Demonstrate impact on existing system performance using advanced Navy hardware in the loop simulators. Transition algorithm to advanced sonar and weapon systems developers.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Underwater exploration is critical to the survival of mankind. Its importance extends from environmental protection and monitoring to finding mineral deposits or sunken objects. The proper identification of sunken objects / clutter in ports is critical to cleaning the environment and / or introducing new underwater hardware. A robust sonar based material recognition capability would make underwater exploration and exploitation more efficient and cost effective.

REFERENCES:
1. Broadband Low Frequency Sonar for Non-Imaging Based Identification, B. H. Houston, J.A. Bucaro, T. Yoder, L. Kraus, and J. Tressler (Naval Research Laboratory), J. Fernandez (Coastal Systems Station,
Panama City Florida) T. Montgomery (Applied Research Laboratory - Pennsylvania State University), T. Howarth (NUWC, Newport), IEEE Oceans Engineering 2002, 383-387

2. NEW GREEN FUNCTIONS FOR NEARFIELD ACOUSTICAL HOLOGRAPHY IN AIRCRAFT FUSELAGES, Eaxl G. Williams & Brian H. Houston (Naval Research Laboratory), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1996

3. H. Liu, P. Runkle, L. Carin, T. Yoder, T. Giddings, L. Couchman, and J. Bucaro Classification of distant targets situated near channel bottoms J. Acous. Soc. Am. 115(3), March 2004

4. P. Runkle, L. Carin, L. Couchman, T. Yoder, and J. Bucaro, "Multi-aspect Identification of Submerged Elastic Targets via Wave-based Matching Pursuits and Hidden Markov Models," J. Acous. Soc. Am., vol. 106, pp. 605-616, Aug. 1999

KEYWORDS: Sonar detection / classification, Elastic acoustic response, Underwater Material identification; Acoustic Echoes;

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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