SBIR-STTR Award

Acoustic Pattern Recognition for Security Breaching Noise Detection
Award last edited on: 4/11/2008

Sponsored Program
STTR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Navy
Total Award Amount
$844,148
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
N06-T036
Principal Investigator
Steven A Berger

Company Information

Safety Dynamics Inc

3845 N Business Center Drive Suite 115
Tucson, AZ 85705
   (520) 204-1340
   N/A
   www.safetydynamics.net

Research Institution

University of Southern California

Phase I

Contract Number: N00014-06-M-0200
Start Date: 8/1/2006    Completed: 5/31/2007
Phase I year
2006
Phase I Amount
$98,597
We propose the development of an acoustic recognition platform that can identify and locate specific sounds in high noise environments, and that can act as a foundation for non-line-of site detection and proactive alerts for other technologies such as cameras and UAVs. The proposed system is based on fundamental principles of neurobiological systems, i.e., it incorporates mathematical models and system architectures designed to mimic how the brain recognizes sounds from the outside world. The proposed system also will precisely localize the source of sounds of interest, and direct secondary response devices toward that source. The proposed system is an extension of a recently commercialized gunshot recognition and localization system, called SENTRI I, currently being sold in Chicago, Illinois, Tijuana, Mexico, and other US cities. The SENTRI I, however, is designed only to detect and recognize short-duration gunshots, and is not capable of analyzing and recognizing other security breaching noises such as RPGs and mortars, vehicle engines, human voices, etc. Re-design of this proven system are proposed to extend applicability to recognition and localization of a wider range of security-relevant noises, add new microphone technology to substantially extend the "listening range", and reduce the system footprint to a field-deployable size.

Benefits:
Development of adaptive, intelligent acoustic recognition/alert systems for security breaching noise detection, threat identification and perimeter protection using Safety Dynamics' core technology, the Dynamic Synapse Neural Network (DSNN). The DSNN technology has been optimized and is currently commercialized for gunshot recognition as the SENTRI (Smart Sensor Enabled Neural Threat Recognition and Identification), a system that recognizes gunshots sends range and bearing details to cameras which can then rotate and pan in on the source of the incident. The SENTRI is integrated with wireless communications, and a weather resistant box mounted on telephone or power poles for urban crime prevention. This STTR will extend Safety Dynamics' acoustic recognition technology to non-gunshot events critical to security breaching noises.

Phase II

Contract Number: N00014-07-C-0796
Start Date: 8/15/2007    Completed: 2/15/2009
Phase II year
2007
Phase II Amount
$745,551
Safety Dynamics, Inc. proposes the development of an acoustic recognition platform that can identify and locate specific sounds related the breaching of perimeters and secured areas. The acoustic technology in question is novel, and is based on fundamental principles of neurobiological systems, i.e., it incorporates mathematical models and system architectures designed to mimic how the brain recognizes sounds from the outside world. Safety Dynamics proposes to continue the development of a next generation of acoustic recognition hardware to provide the speed and memory required to analyze longer-duration signatures of security-breaching sounds in high noise environments. Further, Safety Dynamics will develop a modular approach to installation of the hardware for real world applications that will permit the customization of acoustic recognition solutions for particular applications.

Keywords:
Perimeter Security; Facilities Protection; Threat Identification; Acoustic Recognition; Neural Netwo