GOLDFINCH SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES AND ANALYTICS LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 03b

Description

Detecting and characterizing facilities and performing emergency location requires multi-modal, persistent surveillance by sensing and analysis. Infrasound and radio frequency direction finding (RF-DF) sensors have the proven ability to provide standoff detection. The project will demonstrate the feasibility of a small sensor package designed for small and medium unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with plug-n-play operation, partnering, and autonomous flight plans. The project concludes with a demonstration of the system and feasibility of approach. During Phase I, the effort first designs the infrasound sensor and selects a RF-DF sensor. Second, the project integrates the systems on a UAV capable of carrying the payload weight. Third, the effort forms a GIS analytics product to analyze changes in the detected signals. Finally, the project performs tests of the integrated sensor package to demonstrate feasibility of the concept.The technology is directly applicable to monitoring remote facilities and commercial energy production. A secondary commercial application is for urban noise mapping. A third application is for RF spectrum compliance testing and cell tower power emission.