SBIR-STTR Award

High Performance MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit for Missile Systems
Award last edited on: 8/5/2019

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : MDA
Total Award Amount
$1,637,027
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
MDA17-015
Principal Investigator
Sivaram P Gogineni

Company Information

Spectral Energies LLC

4065 Executive Drive
Beavercreek, OH 45430
   (937) 902-6546
   contact@spectralenergies.com
   www.spectralenergies.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 10
County: Green

Phase I

Contract Number: HQ0147-18-C-7246
Start Date: 11/6/2017    Completed: 1/5/2019
Phase I year
2018
Phase I Amount
$149,744
The proposed project aims to pursue an innovative approach of utilizing deep learning algorithms to improve the performance of state-of-the-art MEMS Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to push their performance to fullest extent possible as replacements for existing Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (FOG) systems for navigation and guidance in future missile system avionics including Sounding Rockets. During Phase I, the proposed team will evaluate artificial intelligence algorithms to model noisy MEMS sensor data. A deep learning methodology will be employed to effectively define complex, compositional nonlinear functions, to learn distributed and hierarchical feature representations, and to make effective inference of both labeled and unlabeled data. We plan on implementing machine learning algorithm on a FPGA platform after identifying the most promising software algorithms. The Phase I program is ambitious by design but we believe that research plans are realistic and achievable because of our expertise and resources accumulated from on-going research in the areas of inertial sensor design, machine learning, and microelectronics. The prototype hardware is useful for ground testing and to demonstrate that the proposed solution can meet flight environments. At the end of Phase II, a prototype will be ready to be flown on a sounding rocket flight test.Approved for Public Release | 17-MDA-9395(24 Oct 17)

Phase II

Contract Number: HQ0147-19-C-7143
Start Date: 1/30/2019    Completed: 6/20/2022
Phase II year
2019
Phase II Amount
$1,487,283
The proposed project aims to improve the SWaP-C of tactical-grade IMUs for use in the navigation system of guided weapons. Spectral Energies and its partners will achieve this goal by using advanced machine learning algorithms to reduce error in commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) MEMS IMUs.1. Immediate benefits to MDA: The proposed product would provide an IMU to the DOD with comparable precision and accuracy to that of current state-of-the-art IMUs with significant cost-savings. Current estimates suggest that our proposed IMU could cost an order of magnitude less than current options. In addition, the improved SWaP-C of our proposed IMU could allow weapon systems with increased payload or improved range.2. Scientific discovery: The proposed work would result in new machine learning methods for error modeling and mitigation. These methods could be used to better understand error propagation and used to improve error modeling in many systems.3. Economic security and prosperity: Spectral Energies believe that a successful MEMS IMU could provide it with significant economic benefits. It is currently working with multiple partners who would have interest in using the developed technology in their systems and an initial market analysis suggests that the potential product could generate up to $9.5 million in sales in a few years.Approved for Public Release | 19-MDA-9932 (21 Feb 19)