SBIR-STTR Award

We propose a novel and secure solution for an advanced battlefield communication system. The proposed headset communication system provides improved communication, localization, and auditory preservation for combat and training scenarios. The system leverages advanced digital signal processing technologies developed at our company. During Phase I, we will demonstrate a real headset prototype with new hardware and DSP software. Users wearing the headset will hear enhanced sound and experience improved situational awareness. The system will also have high-noise cancellation and hearing protection capability. The proposed system will significantly improve situational awareness, speech intelligibility, user safety, and hearing protection. A proof of concept prototype will be demonstrated in Phase I. All research results, new hardware design and new algorithms will be included in our monthly and final reports.

Benefit:
The product from this project will be a new military headset communication system. All new technology will be concentrated to a PCB with preinstalled software. The PCB will be manufactured by LCT. For quick commercialization, LCT will patent the invention and collaborate with existing military headset manufacturers for quick evaluation and deployment. This will provide a win-win-win solution for the DoD, our partners, and LCT. The solution can quickly transfer LCTs advanced technology into products for military use with minimal costs to the government. Furthermore, the technology will also benefit police and security forces, first responders, fire fighters, and workers in industries such as mining, manufacturing, construction, and transportation that are routinely exposed to high noise levels and face similar communication challenges in high-noise environments. Lastly, LCT will use the technology developed in this project to design a new headset with new and advanced features for the consumer electronics market.

Keywords:
3D Sound, 3D Sound, microphone array, HRTF, Talk-through Circuitry, Hearing Protection, Communication system, noise dosimeter, localization

We proposed a novel and unique headset based on advanced digital signal processing and other new technologies as the next-generation military headset. The headset with the proposed technologies fulfills all the objectives of this SBIR topic in terms of hearing protection, enhanced situational awareness, clear two-way communication, speech intelligibility, battery life, and costs. The new headset will significantly enhance the performance of military personal in combat and reduce training time. It will also improve personal safety through novel situational awareness. The deliverables of Phase II Base will be six (6) prototypes for lab and military evaluations. The deliverables of Phase II Option will be six (6) product level headsets with further improved performances based on the feedback of the field evaluations.

Benefit:
In addition to DoD use, a commercial version of the new headset can be used for law enforcement, fire fighters and all manufacturing industry sectors which need hearing protection, such as construction, mining, and oil industry. According to Transparency Market Research (TMR)s recent report, in 2017 over US$700 million of hearing protection equipment were sold in the manufacturing industry. The global hearing protection equipment market is expected to grow by a CAGR of 4.6% from 2017 to 2026 and reach valuation in excess of US$5 billion. Increasing concerns over hearing loss due to high noise levels in manufacturing plants and other manufacturing sites has led to adoption of hearing protection equipment across industries. We will be open to any commercialization opportunity, such as licensing the design to prime contractors or manufacturing and selling the new headsets directly. The company has experience in manufacturing and selling audio and communication devices to business and consumers and has achieved several business awards including the CES Design and Engineering Award.

Keywords:
DSP, Noise Dosimetry, Talk-through Circuitry, localization, Communication system, Hearing Protection, Artificial Intelligence