SBIR-STTR Award

The 14-DeCADES SBIR leverages the results of a FY13 spontaneous IRAD to characterize and test (Phase 1) and subsequently design and build (Phase 2) a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) multiwaveband sensor for airborne sensing of ocean color in conditions of very low light. The new instrument will pair ruggedized, miniature photomultiplier tubes with silicon photodetectors to create so-called hybridnamic detectors for use in both radiance and irradiance radiometers, featuring 14 decades of linear dynamic range. The new radiometers will be suitable for making airborne optical measurements of the atmosphere and ocean in low-light regimes wherein high-quality optical data are rarely available. Anticipated uses include improved calibration and validation data collection for next-generation NASA satellite missions emphasizing turbid atmospheres and waters. Basic research uses include nighttime diurnal or polar winter studies (e.g. aerosol optical depth from shadow band irradiance instruments), and other moon-lit measurements including airborne ocean color missions. Phase 1 will leverage a technology readiness level (TRL) 3 prototype, bringing the work to TRL 4 during six months. If the Phase 2 work is successful, the activity will advance the TRL of the new instrument from a value of 3 (based on the IRAD prototype instrument) to a value of 6 over the period of the SBIR Phase 1 and 2. During Phase 1, necessary new fixturing and testing software and protocols will be developed, and a parallel engineering characterization of the IRAD prototype will confirm the instrument architecture. The resulting recommendations from the engineering tests will be used to establish the specifications for a Phase 2 sensor suite, to be proposed at the end of the project as a follow-on activity.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) This SBIR Phase I and II would result specifically in a cornerstone product for BSI's airborne instrument line. We see this development being used wherever an airborne radiometer has been used in the past and where extended dynamic range or nighttime activities were desired. By coupling NASA-funded microradiometer detectors with the appropriate COTS PMTs, the 14-DeCADES project captures the best features of both technologies: high-speed and wide dynamic range, for both radiance and irradiance sensors. The work proposed here may be incorporated into a variety of configurations appropriate to addressing aspects of the Carbon cycle and Ecosystems Roadmap, where the wide dynamic range configurations, which is not possible with existing technology, can be applied. In addition to testing and validating radiometric models, these systems have an immediate application in airborne ocean color validation studies for PACE/ACE, and can be used to support systematic observations using VIIRS/NPP and VIIRS/NPOESS.

Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) This SBIR Phase I and II would result specifically in a cornerstone product for BSI's airborne instrument line. We see this development being used wherever an airborne radiometer has been used in the past and where extended dynamic range or nighttime activities were desired. Non-NASA benefits of this technology parallel the direct benefit to NASA, with the extension of increased opportunities for multidisciplinary airborne studies in the field. International and domestic potential customers for this technology include government, university, and privately funded researchers interested in ocean color, satellite calibration and validation at high latitudes, phytoplankton ecology, fisheries, or photodegradation.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Detectors (see also Sensors) Multispectral/Hyperspectral Optical/Photonic (see also Photonics) Radiometric Ultraviolet Visible

The 14-DeCADES SBIR leverages the results of a FY13 spontaneous IRAD and a subsequent successful Phase 1 SBIR which characterized and tested key elements that will lead to a Phase 2 SBIR to design and build a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) multiwaveband sensor pair (radiance and irradiance) for airborne and shipboard sensing of ocean color in conditions of very low light. The new instruments will pair ruggedized, miniature photomultiplier tubes with silicon photodetectors to create so-called hybridnamic detectors, featuring 14 decades of linear dynamic range. The new radiometers will be suitable for making optical measurements of the atmosphere and ocean in low-light regimes wherein high-quality optical data are rarely available. Anticipated uses include improved calibration and validation data collection for next-generation NASA satellite missions emphasizing turbid atmospheres and waters. Basic research uses include twilight and nighttime diurnal or polar winter studies (e.g. aerosol optical depth from shadow band irradiance instruments), and other moon-lit measurements including airborne ocean color missions. While Phase 1 moved the prototype from a technology readiness level (TRL) of 3, to 4, the Phase 2 effort will advance the TRL of the new technology from a value of 4 to a value of 6 over the period of the SBIR Phase 2. This technology, known as LOLUX (Lowest Observable Light Upgraded XTRA class instruments), with irradiance (LOLUX-E) and radiance (LOLUX-L) sensors, will be supported with a portable, stabilized LED-based light source to insure that the sensors exhibit the desired stability during extended deployments. Following an extensive characterization period, this technology will be demonstrated in the field and delivered to NASA.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) NASA's Earth Science Roadmaps (Section 2.2) provide much insight into a variety of potential NASA applications for the LOLUX radiometers developed in this project. As satellite technology advances and capabilities to observe the ocean at challenging locations (e.g., coastal areas) improve, ever more sophisticated ground-based instrumentation is required to validate measurements from space. There is increased interest by NASA to study Arctic oceans early and late in the year, when the solar irradiance is small, and LOLUX could provide the required validation data. Furthermore, observations with moon light become accessible, potentially allowing to measure variations in ocean properties over a complete 24 hour cycle, using the same instrument during the night and the day. Thus, LOLUX radiometers can potentially support many NASA spaceborne and sub-orbital missions (e.g., AVIRIS, MODIS, VIIRS, ACE/PACE, GEO-CAPE, and HyspIRI) and associated cal/val activities.



Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Non-NASA benefits to this technology parallel the direct benefit to NASA, with the extension to in-creased opportunity for multidisciplinary airborne studies in the field. International and domestic potential customers for this technology include government, university, and privately funded re-searchers interested in ocean color, phytoplankton ecology, fisheries, or photodegradation.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Infrared Radiometric Ultraviolet Visible