SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of the proposed work is to develop a detailed description and methodology for an intuitive, real-time bioluminescence risk detection aid (BRDA) for underwater vehicle navigation and mission planning. The purpose of the BRDA is to provide real-time information as to the probability of above water visual detection of platform-induced (e.g. an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, SEAL Delivery Vehicle, or diver) bioluminescence based on local environmental data, in situ measurements, and simple radiative transfer models. Our envisioned BRDA will include 1) a suite of simple, compact, low power sensors, 2) a data acquisition and processing system to integrate measurement streams and apply a simple radiative transfer algorithm to determine bioluminescence detection risk, and 3) a simple, graphical user interface to display real-time threat risk. In this Phase I proposal, we provide a description our proposed measurement suite, a bioluminescence contrast model, and a conceptual framework for the user interface. As part of our efforts, we will conduct a series of field experiments to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed BRDA system from which we will develop a detailed design concept for implementation of the BRDA system for an AUV.

Benefit:
The primary goal for WET Labs in developing the proposed BRDA is to produce a sensing system that will fulfill a direct naval need. We envision that through the process of our Phase I and II efforts, we will more narrowly focus on defining and developing a commercial sensing system that can be deployed on naval battlespace platforms. We envision that our primary pathway for commercialization will be towards producing a sensing system that can be transitioned to Fleet operations. Through the work of our proposed Phase I efforts, we foresee several potential opportunities to expand our commercial tool chest 0x9D beyond the defined military applications. For example, one potential outcome from our development of a calibrated internal light source and irradiance detector pair would be a small, compact, low power diffuse attenuation meter that is relatively independent of solar geometry. As described above, as a quasi-inherent optical property this instrument would have significant utility in providing measurements of water clarity and visibility. When combined with instruments for measuring backscattering, beam attenuation, and total scattering, WET Labs would now have a complete line of low power, low cost, compact IOP sensors for AUVs, including a sensor to measure absorption. Perhaps equally as significant, we foresee the development of smart sensing algorithms and processing systems that provide real-time probabilities and estimates of events (in our case detection by bioluminescence generation) using optical measurements combined with models as the next generational technical advancement to support not only naval needs, but also many research and ocean monitoring programs. The convergence of advances in optical instrumentation, computing and processing power are enabling a new generation of sensing systems to be developed, whereby data from multiple sensors can be combined with complex algorithms for event detection in real-time on compact, low power in situ platforms. Through our proposed efforts, we envision developing such a smart sensing 0x9D system, namely the BRDA. The experience gained from developing such a system will be immediately transferable to other sensing systems where quantitative and predictive event detection is needed. For example, harmful algal bloom event detection algorithms based on absorption and backscattering spectra in combination with chlorophyll fluorescence data could be used in real-time to provide bloom occurrence probabilities. Our work efforts in Phase I and II would provide a solid foundation from which we could build upon in developing the next generation of smart sensors.

Keywords:
Backscattering, Backscattering, real-time detection probability, irradiance, Radiative Transfer, Absorption, bioluminescence, water optical properties

Nighttime bioluminescence poses a large naval tactical problem. Therefore a navigation aid is required for underwater vehicles (manned or un-manned) that will sense the platform-induced (e.g. an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, SEAL Delivery Vehicle, or diver) bioluminescence, water optical properties, and ambient light, and use the measured parameters as input to solve a simple radiative transfer algorithm that outputs the level of the detection risk to the vechicle navigator that is easy to interpret. Through our Phase I efforts, we demonstrated the feasibility of providing an accurate prediction of risk under “worst case” (black night) conditions. The long-term goal of this project is to develop a bioluminescence risk detection aid for underwater vehicle navigation and mission planning and in Phase II we plan to build and evaluate several prototype systems. Our envisioned bioluminescence risk detection aid will be a standalone, self contained unit that includes 1) a suite of simple, compact, low power sensors to measure bioluminescence intensity, water attenuation properties, ambient light, depth and time, 2) a data acquisition and processing system to integrate measurement streams and apply a simple radiative transfer algorithm to determine bioluminescence detection risk, and 3) a simple user interface to display real-time threat risk.

Keywords:
Light Attenuation, Light Attenuation, Tactical Aid, Uuv, Bioluminescence, Optical System, Risk Detection