We propose broad spectral sensing with co-located visible, infrared (IR) and terahertz (THz) sensors that are small, light and powerful enough to provide ~ 100 m standoff detection, yet be able to be mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or used in a handheld format. By enabling ultralight low-power sensors that fuse images from three spectral regimes, we offer a new broadly applicable approach to counteracting asymmetric threats.
Benefits: Since visible and IR sensors are already well-established, the keys to enabling such ultralight low-power sensors that fuse images from these three spectral regimes lie primarily in development of effective means for generating, propagating, detecting and processing broadband THz waveforms. To this end, Tera-X will advance novel and patent-pending technology for high-gain, polarization-sensitive antennas and related signal-processing approaches under this SBIR program. Challenges have included improving signal to noise ratio (SNR) to improve range, resolving ambiguity of pulses in a combined ranging/spectroscopy function, and enabling the system to visualize multiple target orientations.
Keywords: terahertz, short-pulse, polarization, coherent, electronic
