Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: To address the Army"s need to detect and classify human intrusion, Physical Optics Co

Description

To address the Army"s need to detect and classify human intrusion, Physical Optics Corporation proposes to develop a Body Heat-Based Range-Extended All-Weather Covert Human (BREACH) Detector. The system"s novel design combines thermopile-based sensing with novel signal extraction and cross registered feature verification algorithms. The stand-alone and camouflaged BREACH detector (7 in. x 7 in. x 7 in., ~4 lb) that can be mounted on a tree, electrical pole, or a tripod, passively detects infrared radiation from the target and is hence safe for use with humans and animals. Its small size and camouflaging covers make it undetectable. The key innovations in BREACH allow high accuracy (98%), extended range (300 m), low-power operation (100 mW), and low sensor material cost ($400). The detector"s multi-feature verification (pattern, speed and relative temperature) reduces false alarms while its spatial referencing eliminates the common-mode internal noise to improve the SNR. In Phase I, POC will develop a BREACH detector model, perform analysis, and develop a bench-top prototype. This TRL 3-4 prototype will be tested for its human detection performance at 300 m under day-and-night condition. In Phase II, we plan to build and validate a complete TRL 5-6 detector, demonstrate its field worthiness, and evaluate its productization.