SBIR-STTR Award

The intent of this effort is to enhance the available sensors so that inserted bio, nuclear and explosive materials are detected and reported. Another critical element is the simple detection that a container seal has been violated. If a container is partitioned, the exact location of the violation is reported. If a terrorist is able to insert a threat item, he also will be able to exchange of spoof RF Tags and sensors so that an appropriate response will not be detected. To counter the spoofing threat, secure communications are employed so that any exchange of the monitoring equipment is evident. The RF Tag communicates at various ranges to a command and control center. The center contains a capability to record sensor information, which is provided to a database for environmental parameters and a decision support system (DSS) that establishes relationships, rules and cues for action. This technology has tremendous commercial applications. Currently only 2-3% containers get inspected due to labor shortages etc. Fulcrum proposed technology ove 90% will be inspected automatically and noitification, if there is a intrusion or other problems with cargo

Fulcrum Corporation will produce and demonstrate a modular controller that can integrate and manage low-cost, power-efficient, commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors, react to various sensor inputs by selectively turning sensors on or off based on established protocols, detect sensor malfunctions or tampering, provide very low false alarm rates, collect essential information about sensor data and events, relay information to a communication subsystem for subsequent transmission and be reprogrammed without major physical modifications to the controller assembly.

Keywords:
CONTAINER, SENSORS, COMMUNICATION, SECURITY