SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of developing an extended and more comprehensive MASINT capability using acoustic background signals. Phase 1 will demonstrate the feasibility of identifying the environment of cellular phone conversations from the signature of background noise. The overall concept extends to entail the categorization and identification of engines, aircraft, vehicles, and ambient acoustic backgrounds using communication channels and external acoustic sensors, and of distant events using infrasound

The objective of this effort is to develop a system capable of classifying acoustic backgrounds from messages sent with personal communications systems (PCS). The capability will be developed using the background work and feasibility of the concept demonstrated in the Phase 1 effort. PCS communications utilize speech coders that affect the background of the signal. Phase 1 demonstrated that these coded backgrounds can be differentiated. In Phase 2 we will develop a working prototype suitable for use by military, law enforcement, anti-terrorist, and other personnel who require MASINT information from PCS transmissions.

Keywords:
Masint, Anti-Terror, Acoustic, Personal Communication Devices, Classification