The goal of the proposed work is to develop and demonstrate self-orienting and self-calibrating, low frequency field-deployable electromagnetic (EM) sensors. The focus will be on EM sensors which support long-baseline gradiometry and which have the following characteristics: small size, low power, broadband, high sensitivity, high dynamic range, and robust outdoor performance. Low frequency EM sensors are needed for military applications addressing target location, planning, and movement. More specifically, Quantum Magnetics will perform R&D work in the following two areas: 1) Development and demonstration of sensor nodes, and 2) development of supporting algorithms (self-orienting, self calibrating) that would enable the EM sensors to operate in robust outdoor environments. A highly sensitive low frequency EM sensor would find numerous applications in security operations and perimeter surveillance, detection and characterization of underground facilities, detection of military vehicles and and armed troops, monitoring of urban and highway traffic, and geophysical applications.
