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DARPA SBIR 2004.3 Phase I Award Winners
Aether Wire & Location,
Inc. Proposal Title: RF Time of Flight Ranging Techniques for Self-Localization of Microsensors ABSTRACT: We are developing integrated ultra-wideband transceivers, called Localizers, for precise position location and low datarate communication. Localizers determine location by sharing range information within a network of units distributed in the environment. The range between pairs of Localizers is determined by cooperatively exchanging ultra-wideband signals consisting of coded sequences of impulses. As Localizers are activated, each acquires as many contacts as possible. As local groups of nodes form into clusters, nodes in one cluster link with one or more nodes in other clusters, forming bridges between the clusters. Range information is constantly shared so that all Localizers are aware of all other Localizers in the network. Using precise timing techniques, the Localizers are able to establish these ranges to an accuracy of about a centimeter. The Localizer system has been under development for the last eleven years. Currently, it is being applied to the identification and location of assets at naval storage and shipping facilities. Under this, and other development projects sponsored by the DoD, the device is now reaching the demonstration stage. We plan to apply our Localizer technology and expertise to research RF Time of Flight Ranging Techniques for Self-Localization of Microsensors. Agiltron Corp. Proposal Title: Bio-Inspired IR Imager ABSTRACT: The proposal addresses a new class of IR detector that mimics the snake’s thermal sensing ability. The design is based on the extensive research derived findings on biological IR sensing systems and leverages recent material process progress in multi-layered nano-scale membrane preparation. The revolutionary polymer bubble array IR imager offers significant improvements in IR imager performance and manufacturing cost over competing technologies. The innovation is based on a highly sensitive Golay cell array made of unique compliant and extremely robust free standing nanomembrane bubbles. Despite its technical novelty, the proposed device is extremely simple to produce with inherent high manufacturing yield at dramatically reduced cost. The device is anticipated to have high IR sensitivity as well as high resolution of mega-pixel array size. The new imager employs a novel optical direct readout, providing a practical system solution to lightweight, low-cost, environmentally friendly military and commercial applications. Due to its fundamentally passive nature, our camera also consumes little power and offers near real time response due to the elimination of electronic scanning associated with conventional IR cameras. Articulate Software Proposal Title: Tactical Group Decision Analysis Support System ABSTRACT: This proposal offers a program of research that will lead to the design and demonstration of a method for improved rapid decision making. Our method makes use of judgmental inputs from diverse experts who might be widely separated geographically and attitudinally. It accepts the judgmental inputs in structure form and in natural language, synthesizes the judgments, generates and ranks alternative approaches to the solution of tactical or strategic problems, highlights risks and uncertainties, allows focus on areas of disagreement among the experts, and scores the decisions on the basis of precisely stated criteria. This proposal requires application of the science of decision theory, as well as the application of advanced software. We will bring to bear two areas of decision theory: decision modeling, a technique for identifying an alternative which best satisfies previously stated optimization criteria and Delphi, a technique for collecting expert judgments. Barron Associates, Inc. Proposal Title: Sub-space Hopped Orthogonal Communication (SHOC) ABSTRACT: DARPA wishes to develop an orthogonal communication system that is impervious to interference. This system must provide covert communication capabilities for tactical environments in the L and S bands. To this end, Barron Associates, Inc. (BAI) proposes to investigate Sub-Space Hopped Orthogonal Communication (SHOC). Different orthogonal techniques and wireless standards that are prominent in the L and S RF bands (e.g., IS-95, GSM, IEEE 802.11) allow multiple users to share the same RF resource by subdividing it into sub-spaces according to time, frequency, waveform, polarization, and combinations thereof. Each user operates in their own sub-space, unaffected by other users. With such sub-space based techniques, it is rare that all of the available sub-spaces will be occupied. The unused degrees of freedom comprise a larger sub-space of the RF resource that may be exploited by another, outside user without being subject to interference from (or causing interference to) the original users. BAI will develop and demonstrate a technique for covert wireless communication within the unoccupied sub-space of an existing orthogonal communication system. SHOC uses a detection step to determine the vacant sub-space of an existing communication system, then communicates covertly by hopping over (time-varying) basis functions spanning the unoccupied sub-space. Centeye, Inc. Proposal Title: UAV Survivability Enhancement via Agile Maneuvering in Dynamic Environments ABSTRACT: A significant challenge in the field of uninhabited air vehicles (UAVs), particularly micro air vehicles (MAVs), is that of navigating through a complex environment such as deep in the urban canyon or underneath a forest canopy. Such environments are filled with a variety of hazards, ranging from large buildings and trees to thin cables and potentially other threatening airborne objects. We propose an active perception system capable of sensing and avoiding the most difficult of these hazards. This system makes use of an optic flow microsensors, an "active perception unit" that interprets optic flow patterns to detect hazards, MEMS gyros, and a "control unit" that guides a UAV through trajectories creating useful optic flow patterns for perception. This system is intended to be used on fixed-wing micro air vehicles. Charles River Analytics, Inc. Proposal Title: Rapid Evidence Aggregation Supporting Optimal Negotiation (REASON) ABSTRACT: Significant research has been undertaken to develop rigorous decision-making processes under the umbrella discipline of Decision Analysis. Unfortunately, most of these systems require a facilitator and are designed for time scales that make them inappropriate in tactical situations. We propose to develop a groupware system for Rapid Expertise Aggregation Supporting Optimal Negotiation (REASON) that avoids the need for a facilitator and supports collaborative decision-making in dynamic, time critical situations. Our target domain in the Phase I work will be tactical decision making for the warfighter. The REASON platform leverages our in-house probabilistic argumentation engine for aggregating uncertain data. We propose to apply cutting edge research on collaborative artifacts, called Coordinating Representations, to improve coordination and reduce the amount of communication that needs to take place within a team. Additionally, REASON will automatically direct the conversation between collaborators in order to streamline the decision-making process, and reduce overall uncertainty. CHI Systems, Inc. Proposal Title: Mapped Optimal Ad-Hoc Teams (MOAT) ABSTRACT: Implementation of new doctrine in structures such as the Unit of Action (UA) has resulted in command organizations that are distributed, fluid, and highly mobile, in contrast to legacy organizational structures which relied on a co-location in a 'big tent.' Battle lab experiments show that commanders and executive officers can easily lose awareness of the situation with their distributed staff organization under this transformation, creating a key need for tools and visualizations to help them (re-)gain this aspect of the operational picture. In addition, when they decide (ideally supported by cues in that interface) to constitute or investigate the status of ad hoc teams, they need a system with sufficient knowledge of capability and expertise to help them efficiently determine any deficiencies and what actions to take. We propose a tool we call MOAT (Mapped Optimal Ad-hoc Teams) to meet this need. MOAT incorporates an innovative integration of technologies from several fields, including social network analysis, risk analysis, cognitive agents, human-computer interaction, and battlespace visualization techniques. The Phase I effort will design the key components and integration strategies for MOAT, as well as create a proof-of-concept software prototype. Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. Proposal Title: Bio-Inspired Sensor Systems ABSTRACT: Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. (CRG) proposes the use of bio-inspired sensing concepts to develop novel, low cost polymer composite sensors for military as well as commercial applications. CRG will investigate the design and fabrication of sensors with the use of conducting polymer composite, and by drawing inspiration from known biological sensing mechanisms reported in the literature. The use of polymer composite materials to fabricate sensors will lead to significant cost saving due to greater versatility, flexibility and fault tolerance of polymeric materials comparing with silicon. The employment of bio-inspired sensing mechanism will lead to novel sensing capability, such as the possibility of multi-functionality, and improved performance, such as greater sensitivity and room temperature operation. Deductive Solutions Proposal Title: Deductive Spreadsheets ABSTRACT: By tapping into recent research in Logic Programming, Databases and Human-Computer Interaction, Deductive Solutions proposes to develop a deductive extension to the spreadsheet. This tool is intended as an automated assistant for the daily reasoning and decision-making needs of computer users, in the same way as the traditional spreadsheet assists them every day with calculations simple and complex. Users without formal training in Logic or Computer Science will be able to interactively define logical rules in the same way as they define formulas in a spreadsheet. The user will then present questions and the Deductive Spreadsheet will use these rules to provide either yes/no answers or lists of value that satisfy them. This deductive component will be seamlessly integrated into the traditional spreadsheet so that a user will not only still have access to the usual functionalities, but will be able to use them as part of the logical inference. EDAptive Computing, Inc. Proposal Title: Technology for Trusted Circuits ABSTRACT: Future weapons and defense systems used by the DoD are critical elements to the armed forces and national security. Therefore, it is conceivable that during the design and manufacturing process IC’s are susceptible to the covert addition of intentional malicious attack functionality that compromises the integrity of the hardware. This embedded functionality could serve purposes similar to software viruses, operating system backdoors, or Trojan horse mechanisms for system access. DoD customers must be able to verify the intended functionality while ensuring the trusted nature of the delivered IC’s. Currently, this is difficult or impossible to do in a non-destructive manner, which demands the need for new improved methods of establishing trust in the design and verification stages of development. Our proposed Obtaining Circuit Trust Through Active NonDestructive Evaluation (OCT2ANE) solution provides innovations in three key areas: System Design and Capture, Automated Manufacturing Integration and Non-destructive Verification. Our solution is consistent with EDAptive® Systems Engineering methodology and tool suite which provides a framework for the proposed solution. This methodology is based upon the premise that system requirements can be captured unambiguously in a computer-sensible manner, thereby enabling computer interpretation and analysis of these requirements. Innovative Construction & Building
Materials, LLC Proposal Title: Advanced, Regenerable Chemical and Biological Filters ABSTRACT: The two major goals of this project are to achieve HEPA-like particle capture efficiency at a significantly reduced pressure drop and to incorporate into air filters a safe and effective means to efficiently capture and neutralize pernicious chemical and biological agents. We propose two novel advanced air filtration technologies: (1) direct-cast microsieve filters and (2) reactive nano-coatings. The unique design of Innovative Construction and Building Materials (ICBM) microsieve filters will provide 100 % capture efficiency of bio-aerosols in the 1 – 10 micron size range while operating at a fraction of the pressure drop of a HEPA filter. Reactive nano-coatings on fibrous filter media will efficiently capture and neutralize chemical weapon agents (CWA) at substantially reduced pressure drop compared to current gas filtration technologies. Furthermore, the ICBM microsieve and reactive nano-coating technologies will be combined to create the new standard for HVAC and gas mask applications by providing highly efficient broad spectrum protection against chemical weapons and bio-aerosols at a fraction of the operating cost of current measures. The initial phase of advanced filter development is described herein. ISX Corp. Proposal Title: Logic Embedded in SpreadSheets (LESS) ABSTRACT: Logic Embedded in SpreadSheets (LESS) will provide the user with a system which combines the power oflogic-based knowledge representation and reasoning with the familiar and easily-mastered user interface paradigm of a spreadsheet. There will be several conceptually hierarchical tiers of functionality availably within LESS. At the lowest level, first-tier functionality will simply allow users to embed descriptive logic functions into the existing spreadsheet metaphor. Second-tier functionality will give the user tighter coupling between descriptive logic object knowledge and the spreadsheet paradigm, adding the ability to view objects amenable to a matrix representation in a spreadsheet-tabular form. Third-tier functionality involves making the spreadsheet a complete mapping onto the knowledge base, fully integrated with it, including knowledge objects which do not lend themselves easily to a tabular visualization. Fourth-tier functionality adds the concept of spreadsheet/knowledge templates. Luna Innovations, Inc. Proposal Title: Technology for Trusted Circuits ABSTRACT: Integrated circuits (ICs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and systems-on-chip (SoCs) are used in a wide spectrum of vital DOD equipment. The vast majority of these chips are manufactured overseas at untrusted locations. While a chip design can be verified by US personnel, a window of opportunity exists for opposing forces during the fabrication stage. An attacker can potentially insert additional circuitry which could add to, disable, or modify the function of a device. Due to the cost effectiveness of COTS devices, one cannot solve this problem by manufacturing these chips in a trusted foundry. Luna Innovations developed a method to authenticate the integrity of fabricated circuits and plans to verify the process during this SBIR program. A feasibility study, vulnerability report, and various qualification metrics will also be addressed. Mide Technology Corp. Proposal Title: Hybrid Morphing Actuators ABSTRACT: A novel hybrid actuator is proposed where fast response small amplitude actuator is combined with a slower high authority actuator to control the flight path of a gun launched munition. The focus of the effort will be to develop a g-hardened hybrid actuator that can be implemented at low cost to existing gun launched rounds. The fast response actuator will be based on the SmartAct technology developed for the U.S. Army and the slower high authority actuator will utilize bi-stable snap-through shape memory alloy actuators to minimize power. In Phase I, systems studies will be performed to identify requirements for a suite of munitions in the 120mm to 150mm class of munitions including rocket propelled grenades. Trade studies will evaluate various concepts against performance metrics such as weight, response time, power, enhanced flight envelope capability, cost and reliabilityPhase II will develop and fabricate a proof of flight control enhancement concept model. Wind-tunnel tests will be used to evaluate and characterize performance. NANONEX Corp. Proposal Title: Innovative Nanoimprint Lithography Mask Technology for Sub-45 nm Features ABSTRACT: The objective of the proposal is to explore and develop innovative nanoimprint lithography (NIL) mask technologies including mask structures, mask fabrication methods and mask coatings. These new technologies will significantly improve the quality and lower the cost of NIL masks and NIL processes for sub-45 nm nodes. We will investigate the creation of uniform mask feature protrusion heights, methods and mask structures for more accurate pattern placement in NIL mask fabrication, methods of reduction of line edge roughness in NIL mask fabrication, fast ebeam resists, test structures to determine NIL mask distortions, a method of in-situ application of NIL mask anti-adhesion coatings, and a study of mask costs. As a company with many years of pioneer work in NIL masking and the only company who has made sub-10 nm NIL masks, the proposed research will lead to significant advances in low-cost and high resolution NIL mask technology. Nascent Technology Corp. Proposal Title: UAV Survivability Enhancement via Agile Maneuvering in Dynamic Environments ABSTRACT: The overall goal of the program is to demonstrate optic flow for aggressive, obstacle-avoiding flight, and to develop a vehicle that incorporates the necessary flight capabilities, guidance and control, and hardware for swallow-like flight and landing. The NTC/MIT autonomous helicopter (AHMMH-1) will act as a demonstrator vehicle for demonstration of static and dynamic obstacle avoidance. Combined reactive (insect-like) avoidance behaviors will be combined with dynamic planning based on receding horizon Mixed Integer-Linear Programming (MILP) and other dynamic planning architectures within the robust maneuver automaton (RMA) structure that is already supported by the AHMMH-1. The RMA approach provides a natural way to accommodate external events (sudden appearance of unknown obstacles, flying too close to known obstacles due to estimation errors, completely reactive navigation through cluttered spaces), and as such forms the baseline architecture for our planned developments. Northern Microdesign, Inc. Proposal Title: Adaptive Communication System for Extreme Power Line Networks ABSTRACT: An ad-hoc networking method is proposed for use over existing power lines in large commercial buildings. The network is minimally sensitive to lossy elements such as distribution transformers and tripped or OFF circuit breakers and hardware may be made interoperable with existing power line communication systems. Adaption performance of the network is programmable so that various sensor requirements may be accomodated with near optimal power efficiency. The proposed prototypes will maximize use of commercially available and programmable components so as to minimize cost and functional risk. Opel Proposal Title: Monolithic Technology for Wafer Scale Phased Arrays ABSTRACT: Phased arrays are critical for locating and tracking. Current TR modules use multiple MMIC chips, ferrite circulators and quasi-optical true-time-delay (TTD). Chip integration is not possible and interconnecting with GHZ RF outputs is a complicated board problem with little scalability to higher bandwidth, smaller size and lower power. OPEL proposes a monolithic IC solution based upon novel optoelectronic (OE) thryistor circuit design. Thyristor/HFET circuits implement TTD without a physical delay line and a novel power amplifier with a thyristor as an OE oscillator driving a Class E output. The receive channel is implemented with a thyristor LNA/mixer to achieve down-conversion with gain which is digitized with a new ƒÃ-ƒ´ modulator. A thyristor based ripple counter implements a serializer circuit and produces the inverse TTD function for return signals without a physical delay line. Both T and R channels are integrated using a novel dielectric isolation. Optical and RF signal paths are maximized and minimized respectively to achieve a dramatic reduction in size weight and loss. As a monolithic circuit, wafer scale interconnect is implemented with a single interconnect mask. A 3¡¨ GaAs wafer can produce an array of about 16x16 integrated modules. OPEL will demonstrate this wafer scale integration Optimal Synthesis, Inc. Proposal Title: Interference Avoidance via Adaptive Wavelet Packet Modulation in Wireless Communication Systems ABSTRACT: The proposal addresses the problem of adaptive modulation/demodulation scheme in the presence of interference for wireless communication systems. The objective is to develop a new class of communication system that is impervious to natural and man-made interferences. Here, motivated by the concept of software-defined radio, we propose an adaptive modulation/demodulation scheme which modifies the user’s signature waveforms by maximizing the signal to interference ratio. Changing the transmitting signature waveform is one step beyond the existing adaptive modulation schemes where constellation size, transmission power, symbol time, and coding rate are adapted to the channel fading level. By maximizing the orthogonality between the transmitting signature waveform and the interference, a better and simpler detection can be achieved at the receiver. The idea of maximizing the orthogonality is achieved by representing the signature waveform using the least significant eigenfunction of the interference. There are two essential concepts behind our signature waveform adaptive scheme. Here, we proposed to integrate the basis selection strategy based on Wavelet Packet Analysis with the state-of-art interference avoidance algorithms. In this proposal, we will develop the mathematical foundation for adaptive signature waveform design and deliver the system architecture under the scenario of symbol-synchronous single-cell multi-user system. Orbits Lightwave, Inc. Proposal Title: Narrow-Linewidth 1550 Nanometer Laser Oscillator ABSTRACT: This is a proposal to investigate the feasibility of a high power, single mode, low noise and narrow linewidth fiber laser based on a ”virtual ring” laser cavity. This novel laser architecture enables traveling-wave oscillation in a compact, linear and all-fiber cavity. The traveling wave laser field eliminates “spatial hole burning”, a feat usually achieved only in a ring laser. This significantly improves the laser power, the signal-to-noise ratio, linewidth, and the side-mode suppression to unprecedented levels. Perceptronics Solutions, Inc. Proposal Title: Model-Centered Tactical Group Decision Analysis System ABSTRACT: At the center of today’s military command and control operations is the need for distributed real-time collaborative tactical planning and decision-making associated with rapidly changing events as well as with response to asymmetric warfare and counter-terrorist operations. Of particular concern is collaboration across services, agencies and organizations, or in operations involving coalition partners dispersed in different geographical locations. Associated with this critical need is the problem of aiding and enhancing the capabilities for tactical decision making by such distributed collaborative groups. It is clear that computer support systems provide the logical path, but to date no fully satisfactory solution has emerged, in large part because current solutions have focused primarily on the decision process and not on the decision product. Our proposed solution returns the computer support process to a rigorous, model-based decision analytical focus that has previously proved successful, and augments this basic approach with the latest research in cognitive decision aiding -- including influence diagrams, mental models and critical thinking concepts. In particular, our technical approach builds on a seminal DARPA-sponsored R&D project on computer-based group decision aiding performed earlier by Perceptronics Solutions personnel. The results of this innovative research that computer-aided structuring of the group decision processes around sound decision analytic models helps bring the group to convergence and increases the depth of its problem analysis by insuring that more time is spent in quantitative interaction. We also plan to leverage the recent multi-million dollar DARPA investment in Groove infrastructure and tools to provide a readymade, Web based collaborative environment for the proposed system. Physical Optics Corp. Proposal Title: Nanoporous Photocatalytic Filter ABSTRACT: To address DARPA interest in a revolutionary air filtration technology that both captures and neutralizes chemical and biological agents with high efficiency and low resistance to airflow, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a novel Nanoporous Photocatalytic Filter (NPF). NPF is based on a new filtering medium, which will serve as a matrix for the induction of a cold glow plasma discharge and photocatalytic reaction. This technology has a higher capture efficiency, longer lifetime, and lower pressure drop than state-of-the-art approaches, and the NPF filter is self-cleaning and easily regenerable. The NPF system will help protect military personnel, first responders, and the public from chemical and biological agents. In Phase I POC will design and fabricate an NPF prototype and demonstrate the proof-of-concept. Phase II will culminate in a compact filter suitable for testing with live agents at Government-selected facilities. PowerQ Technologies, Inc. Proposal Title: Ad Hoc Networking Over In-Building Power Lines ABSTRACT: The objective of the proposed study is to develop an optimal design approach for the creation of a device that will support low bit rate covert communication over existing in-building wiring infrastructure. Desired content of data transferred is targeted for voice and sensor data. The proposed device must operate with or without the presence of mains power. Additionally, each individual unit must be able to connect to one another via an efficient ad-hoc network structure. Princeton Optronics, Inc. Proposal Title: Narrow-Linewidth 1550 Nanometer Laser Oscillator ABSTRACT: Many DoD applications benefit from coherent detection and processing techniques which require laser linewidths at or below the 1 kHz range and ultra low laser RIN yielding shot noise limited performance at high photocurrents. In addition, many of these applications need higher power of 200mW which is much more than the typical 20mW available with standard semiconductor lasers for telecommunications. Diode-pumped fiber and solid-state lasers, are considered prime candidates for meeting the aggressive laser performance specifications required for many demanding DoD applications . Princeton Optronics has developed a tunable laser based on diode-pumped solid-state technology. The cavity design and gain characteristics have been optimized to deliver a very high performance including high side mode suppression ratio, narrow line width and ultra low RIN. The output power of the standard device is 20mW. The laser design is currently optimized for the telecom applications and has full tuning over the ITU C-band wavelength of 1528–1564nm. Princeton Optronics proposes to improve the power level, linewidth and wavelength stability of the laser by a series of technology improvements including wavelength locker accuracy, gain optimization and thermal and mechanical stabilization. In Phase I of this program the we will develop the design of the narrow linewidth laser oscillator with high power output. To support this design experiments would be performed on the Princeton Optronics laser using an improved locker and control electronics. The power level of the laser will be improved to the level of 80-100mW using innovative thermal design for the pump and the gain medium. Data from the analysis and experiments would be used to show the technology path for the final laser design that would meet the requirements for the program. In phase II, we will design and build lasers with power exceeding 200mW with kHz level of line width and stability. RPU Technology Proposal Title: Bio-Inspired Autonomous Vision ABSTRACT: Vision sensors are an essential component of autonomous systems of all types, now receiving rapidly increasing attention (UAV, UGV, ATR etc). However physical vision systems that substitute for human vision in autonomous systems have very much less capability for the visual recognition tasks that must be performed. This research and development exploits the fact that, to a large extent, the superior performance of human vision is due to the entirely different type and much reduced quantity of visual information it derives and uses so effectively. Whereas physical image sensors derive information by high density Nyquist sampling, over 99.99% of the visual field human vision uses visual information derived by low density variance sampling. The initial bio-inspired development is a practical demonstration of three autonomous system recognition tasks that will be performed much more effectively using variance instead of Nyquist information. This information is easily derived by variance sub-sampling the output of any conventional image sensor. A subsequent bio-inspired development would be to implement this (very simple) sub-sampling operation directly on the focal plane of the image sensor, just as is done in the human retina. The result would be a small, inexpensive, very high performance robotic-eyeball for autonomous systems. Seldon Laboratories, LLC Proposal Title: Regenerable Fused Carbon Nanotube Filters for CB Agents ABSTRACT: Regenerable HEPA air filters of high reliability and efficiency, which not only capture but inactivate toxic chemical and biological warfare/terrorism agents, are urgently required for personal protective equipment for first responders and soldiers, and for building HVAC systems. These filters must have low resistance to air flow and long lifetimes, and not allow captured toxic materials to be released. This program will apply the revolutionary technology of Seldon Laboratories’ proprietary fused carbon nanotube membranes for the protection of individuals as well as buildings. Filter membranes will be constructed, and will be tested for effectiveness against contaminants analogous to relevant toxins. They will be regenerated while their performance and condition are monitored, to determine feasibility of regeneration in actual CB agent protective applications. Based on test data obtained for different combinations of filter designs and regeneration methods, prototype filters will be designed in Phase I. They will be constructed in the Phase I Option period, and in Phase II further evaluated, optimized, then tested with live agents in simulated conditions representative of field use in CBW/terrorism scenarios.
ABSTRACT: Sensorcon is proposing a CMOS compatible method to vertically integrate MEMS devices in a 3D manner, at the wafer level. This method will enable low cost production in both low and high volumes, as the benefits of both SOC and SIP approaches will be realized. The techniques used in this proposal draw upon the state-of-the-art in semiconductor, MEMS, and packaging technologies. Phase I work will demonstrate feasibility by fabricating and testing vertically integrated MEMS (or VI-MEMS) test devices from silicon. The low cost processing methods will be further enhanced by a parallel study with Quantum Leap Packaging, Inc., using Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) based MEMS cap wafers as a replacement for today''s standard glass & silicon based cap wafers. The feasibility study will be based on results from mechanical, electrical, and hermetic testing, both before and after temperature cycling. Phase II will build on Phase I results by fabricating & testing functional VI-MEMS prototypes. Phase III work will be focused on ramping up production of devices using Phase I & II technologies.
San Mateo, CA
94404
Proposal Title: Self-Facilitating Group Decision Analysis and Tracking in Tactical Time Scales
ABSTRACT:
We propose an innovative software system that
offers the benefits of systematic group decision analysis, within
tactical timescales and without requiring an expert facilitator. To
accomplish this, our system will accumulate and index knowledge (e.g.,
variables, issues, constraints, and relationships) that recurs over the
course of large numbers of problem solving sessions within a given
domain (e.g., Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT)). This
knowledge, retrieved and adapted (potentially in a piecemeal fashion),
will prime the decision modeling pump - moving decision makers to more
complete/correct problem specifications in shorter time. In addition,
our system will utilize an interactive coaching capability to facilitate
the migration from qualitative problem descriptions to quantitative
models in a stepwise manner that promotes emotional and cognitive
commitment by participants, maintains links to individual contributions,
and allows transition back-and-forth across the gap between qualitative
and quantitative models. This approach will provide transparency to the
content, inputs, and rationale associated with group decision analysis
model(s), which in turn will support more efficient restructuring.
Finally, we will employ two recently developed techniques to track the
validity of decision assumptions in the face of new information. In
Phase I we will prove the feasibility of this approach via prototype.
Stottler Henke Associates, Inc.
Proposal Title: Virtual Intelligent Collaboration for Task Organization and Resource Scheduling
ABSTRACT:
The need to make
rapid and well-informed decisions about custom task organizations or
ad-hoc problem-focused staffing is shared by organizations large and
small, but is especially critical to the military. The problem has
components of (1) resource discovery and characterization, (2) task
analysis and needs identification, and (3) flexible interactive and
justifiable dynamic scheduling. We propose to develop a system to
support Virtual Intelligent Collaboration for Task Organization and
Resource Scheduling (VICTORS). VICTORS will combine (a) distributed text
mining and data query, (b) social network exploitation, (c) task model
acquisition, (d) policy representation and reasoning, and (e) flexible
interactive scheduling tools. During Phase I, we propose to address the
first three of these technologies, in descending order of emphasis.
Following on requirements analysis and technical surveys, we will
develop a limited proof-of-concept prototype that illustrates some of
the most promising techniques, focusing on lowering the costs and
raising the precision of information extraction techniques. Our Phase I
results will include a preliminary Phase II system design and work plan,
pointing the way towards a complete solution to the team formation
problem.
Proposal Title: Technology for Trusted Circuits
ABSTRACT: There is a serious concern about the availability of classified and trusted advanced custom integrated circuits (ICs) for critical defense systems. (Particularly for advanced application-specific integrated circuits.) The migration offshore of semiconductor manufacturing and the continued worldwide consolidation of the industry due to the increased capital costs is driving these trends. Many of the commercial sources are foreign owned and/or perform manufacturing or critical functions located in foreign countries. It is conceivable that additional circuitry or embedded functions might be surreptitiously added to the circuit, somewhat analogous to a software virus, backdoor, or Trojan horse. In general, IC users have no way to ensure and verify the trustworthiness of these IC's, that they absolutely conform to system requirements and advertised design specifications. In particular, under current practices it is difficult or impossible to non-destructively examine packaged IC’s to establish complete trust that each specific IC faithfully implements only the intended designs specifications, behaves predictably, and executes only intended functions. An innovative methodology is proposed for ensuring the trustworthiness of a packaged Integrated Circuit. Our approach is a cost-effective design, and test, technique that provides non-destructive results and offer the widest coverage of trust issues to enable users to trust the ICs they employ. Our proposal improves the ability of the semiconductor industry to provide trusted sources of critical parts. Our proposal offers a standard by which to quantify the measure of trustworthiness of a circuit.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ravi Verma Phone: (626) 792-3000, Ext: 5712 Topic Number: SB043-045
Proposal Title: Low Cost Nanolithography Techniques Using Elastomer Shrinkage and/or Plasmon Confinement
ABSTRACT:
Nanolithography remains the critical hurdle in
developing and commercializing new nanotechnology devices. A low cost
nanolithography technique must be developed if the promise of
nanotechnology is to be fully realized. Tanner Research and Stanford
University are proposing two new nanolithography techniques based on
elastomer shrinkage and plasmon confinement. Both of these techniques
will be pursued in parallel during Phase I wherein we will demonstrate
the proof of concept for lithography at 35-40 nm feature sizes, mitigate
the associated risk areas, and develop specific applications for the two
techniques.
Techno-Sciences, Inc. 10001 Derekwood Lane Lanham, MD 20706 Principal Investigator: Dr. Peter Chen Phone: (301) 577-6000, Ext: 32 Topic Number: SB043-049
Proposal Title: Agile Maneuvering Using Dynamic Control Surface Morphing
ABSTRACT:
Techno-Sciences, Inc. (TSi), in collaboration with
ILC Dover, Inc. (ILC) proposes to design and develop deployable control
surfaces that can exploit innovative adaptive and morphing structures
technology at minimal cost and weight to achieve highly maneuverable
munitions that can be retasked to achieve new mission objectives. The
deployable control system that will be retro-fit capable to the 155mm
Howitzer, will feature an inflatable wing actuated by Shape Memory Alloy
(SMA) materials.
Teknowledge Corp. Principal
Investigator: Dr. Robert
Balzer Topic Number: SB043-040
Proposal Title: Adding Deductive Logic to a COTS Spreadsheet
ABSTRACT:
As requested in
the solicitation, we will be adding a spreadsheet graphic user interface
(GUI) to a deductive logic system, but we will not create this GUI.
Instead, we will use the GUI from the most successful
Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) spreadsheet – Excel. Thus, we will be
integrating the deductive logic system into this successful COTS
spreadsheet rather than developing a new spreadsheet system. Data will
be mapped back and forth between the spreadsheet and the knowledgebase
of the deductive logic system, so that spreadsheet data can be used as
facts (triples) in the deductive logic system and the information it
derives can be placed back in the spreadsheet as computed results.
Utilizing the spreadsheet metaphor this mapping will equate an
individual spreadsheet cell as the value of an attribute (column
heading) of an object (entity whose values are displayed within a row).
The spreadsheet will be extended to allow references to those objects
(such as father) to be placed in a cell, to handle multi-valued
attributes (such as sister), and to define the mappings that couple the
spreadsheet to the deductive logic system.
TiaLinx, Inc. 8 Halley Irvine, CA 92612-3797 Principal Investigator: Dr. Fred Mohamadi Phone: (949) 285-6255 Topic Number: SB043-047
Proposal Title: Integrated Wafer Phased-Array Antenna
ABSTRACT: In response to this SBIR solicitation, wafer scale integration of cell array composed of integrated antenna and RF circuit is addressed for beamforming applications. The technology provides future opportunities to deploy highly integrated radar systems-on-wafer suitable for small footprint, fully electronically controlled and low cost military and commercial applications. Challenges in design of Si-based substrate RF blocks, RF signal distribution to each element, impact of signal attenuation and cross-talk, accuracy required in phase resolution and beam width management, noise cancellation, DC signal distribution, and intelligent control of beamforming for tracking as well as beam steering are addressed. Preliminary solutions have been advised for in-depth evaluation during phase I. Various scenarios have been depicted for phase II implementation.
7057 Old Madison Pike Huntsville, AL 35806 Principal Investigator: Mr. Alan Petroff Phone: (256) 428-6326 Topic Number: SB043-043
Proposal Title: Self-Localization of MicroSensors using Ultra-Wideband RF
ABSTRACT: The goal of this project is to investigate and provide an Ultra-Wideband Time of Flight (TOF) ranging system for determining inter-node separation distance, and location of, nodes in a wireless sensor network. Ranging/location capability is important to these applications, because correlating sensor data with physical location increases the value of the sensor data.As TDC has already demonstrated the required performance in similar, although not identical, environments we believe that the project is feasible. Our approach will be to 1) define the system requirements, 2) characterize the phenomenology associated with typical Unattended Ground Sensor environments, 3) perform a study to identify techniques that meet the requirements of large scale deployment of wireless sensor networks, and 4) propose a plan for implementing a prototype device in Phase II. Requirements based metrics will be developed to assess the practicality of RF based ranging systems. Key parameters include: power consumption per measurement, probability of successful range measurement, unit size and mass. TDC expects that completion of this project will prepare the way for a Phase II demonstration of a device, incorporated with a government selected sensor, that provides self-location.
1449 Blackburn Lane Plano, TX 75025 Principal
Investigator:
Dr. Chan Wan Topic Number: SB043-036
Proposal Title: Novel Low-cost Methods for Fabricating Compact, Vertically Integrated MEMS
ABSTRACT: Vism Corporation proposes to demonstrate a tunable Fabry-Perot filter (TFPF) using a highly innovative MEMS process called Surface Micromachined Bulk Silicon (SUMBS), for applications in RPG or missile threat warning or multispectral imaging systems. The MEMS TFPF employs a novel digital electrostatic actuator made of single crystal silicon that provides high accuracy tuning with ultra compactness, low-weight, and high speed. Further, the SUMBS process technology provides a unique 3-D, vertically integrated architecture that gives rise to small size, low cost, high accuracy, high yield and superior manufacturability.
25 East Loop Road Suite 217 Stony Brook, NY 11790 Principal Investigator: Dr. David S. Warren Phone: (631) 444-6814 Topic Number: SB043-040
Proposal Title: XcelLog: A User - Centered Deductive Spreadsheet System
ABSTRACT:
In this Phase I
SBIR proposal XSB, Inc. will explore the technical feasibility of
building XcelLog – a user-centered deductive spreadsheet system. Using
XcelLog end users can program intelligent applications using the
spreadsheet metaphor without having a programming background. These
applications are characterized by a knowledge base encoding knowledge of
the application domain, and an inference engine that reasons over it to
deduce new knowledge. XSB, Inc. will undertake a three-pronged approach
to this feasibility study, namely: |