SBIR-STTR Award

The Marine Corps is currently enhancing its capabilities in Military Operations On Urban Terrain (MOUT) in response to a clear trend toward increased military conflicts in urban settings. The MOUT capability requires new technologies, including a next- generation position-location system that penetrates building walls and tracks individuals within urban structures. This system must be compact, rugged, power-efficient, undetectable by enemy personnel, and immune from multipath and ambient electromagnetic interference. Æther Wire has developed a communication/location system—the Localizer—that represents a system that could be optimized to meet these requirements. This system is based on Ultra-Wideband RF communications; its signals are inherently difficult to jam, have good multipath properties, and can penetrate urban structures. The Localizer represents the current state of the art and is the product of 10 years of internal and Government funded R&D. Æther Wire’s world class technical expertise will make it possible to meet/exceed the Marine Corps’ requirements for MOUT within the limited scope of this SBIR effort. For Phase I, Æther Wire proposes to 1) address key design issues (e.g., signal attenuation, multipath removal, range limitations, power consumption), 2) construct and test demonstration model, and 3) develop recommendations for further localizer development in Phase II.

Benefits:
Phase I success will lead to a Phase II project focused upon advancing the prototype development and optimization/scale-up of the Localizer system for field demonstration. Æther Wire anticipates developing a next-generation Localizer that will provide accurate personnel identification/location capabilities for the Marines’ MOUT applications. This location technology also has diverse commercial potential in applications including asset tracking, fireman buddy systems, home navigation systems for the blind, house-arrest monitors, and automobile collision-avoidance systems.

Keywords:
Ultra-Wideband, UWB, Location, Military Operations Urban Terrain, Communication, RF, Multipath, Identification

Reports developed under SBIR contract titled "Personnel Identification and Location for MOUT Applications", have confirmed the significant advantages of the ’ther Wire & Location, Inc. Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Localizer System for use in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) for the USMC in response to increased urban conflicts. This system is based on ultra-wideband RF communications; its signals are inherently difficult to jam, it allows for penetration in urban structures, and it is cost effective for large-scale military usage. During Phase I, we have confirmed the advantages of UWB for this application, demonstrated the current version of our Localizer system, Generation 5, and addressed key future design specifications (e.g. signal attenuation, multipath removal, range limitations, power consumption, size, weight, etc.). We have also shown the current Generation 5 Localizer prototype, beyond the "brass-board" specification requested in the Phase I, to the entire Phase I review staff in Quantico. During Phase II, we propose to make a demonstration of the Localizer for the USMC. We will make revisions to the Generation 5 Localizer, as required for the demonstration. In the Phase II Option we will transition from an engineering-built Generation 5 "prototype" to a production unit ready for commercialization in Phase III