Both passive and active Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) have reached performance plateaus by fully exploiting time-frequency space coherent processing. Potential exceptions are bi-static and multi-static SONAR using continuously transmitted pulse compression signals. This proposal presents the Continuous Active M-sequence SONAR (CAMS) approach to resolving this issue. The CAMS approach holds promise for extending temporal coherent processing times to achieve gains of as much as 36 dB over conventional 'Ping then Listen' mono-static SONAR. The CAMS signal processing approach is detailed and a work plan that establishes a Figure of Merit (FOM) verses 'Ping then Listen' SONAR, a preliminary tactical Concept of Operations, and optimization of CAMS functional parameters is outlined for the Phase I Base Program. Additionally, a work plan is provided for the Phase I Option Program that includes the development of the CAMS system requirements specification and a preliminary functional design. This Phase I approach is shown to be the building blocks for a follow-on Phase II program that will implement prototype CAMS in the operational environment with the goal of future migration into an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Fleet asset as well as a commercial commodity. Benefit Continuous Active M-sequence SONAR (CAMS) provides "the energy of continuous wave (CW) with the resolution of a pulse". As such, CAMS is environmentally friendly in that the peak pulse sound pressure in the water can be 40 dB less than that of conventional 'Ping then Listen' SONAR used today. These lower source levels are achieved through the advantage of signal processing gain provided by the M-sequence correlator without performance degradation. CAMS processing also has the unique feature of producing completely ortho-normal (CON) data sets. As such more than one CAMS SONAR may operate in the same area at the same time without interference. The potential applications for CAMS include introduction as a tactical system aboard the Navy's varied anti-submarine (ASW) platforms (P-3, MMA, SH-60, DDG, etc.) as well as transition into a commercial capability for ocean engineering, survey and oil company operations among others. Woods Hole Group fully expects to leverage the work performed for this SBIR program into several of these commercial markets. Keywords Sonar, continuous, Detection, Sonobuoy, ASW, Active, Tactical, M-SEQUENCE
