N251-040 TITLE: Algorithms for 3 Axis Magnetometer in the Water Column

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Advanced Computing and Software

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative real-time signal processing algorithms to optimize sensor performance and detect objects in water using commercial low-power 3-axis magnetometers.

DESCRIPTION: Recent developments in smaller and more sensitive 3-axis magnetometer sensing devices, coupled with ever smaller signal processing target detecting devices, has opened up the possibility for the development of algorithms for object detection based on magnetic sensing. However, the magnetic background of data collected is compromised due to the inherent motion induced noise of conventional scalar magnetic sensors.

Utilizing a 3-axis magnetometer in the water column of the earth’s large magnetic field is difficult because 3 axis magnetometer production is imperfect. Commercial fluxgate axis sensitivity mismatches and axis misalignment create noise issues when computing the total magnetic field while the sensor experiences yaw, pitch, and roll associated with being in the water column. Calibration can reduce these effects, but an attitude, and heading reference sensor (AHRS) compensation scheme will likely be required for effective object detection performance. Limitations on the ability to suppress noise in realistic environments versus manufacturing imperfections (sensitivities and alignments) must be minimized and characterized to maximize and understand moored underwater persistent system performance. To mitigate these limitations, the Navy seeks advanced signal processing object detection algorithms with calibration and noise cancelation schemes for commercial, low power, 3-axis magnetometers to optimize sensor performance and improve detection, localization and classification of underwater threat objects.

The algorithms will be integrated into the software module of a low-power commercial magnetometer system and will not be part of a towed magnetometer. The commercial magnetometer can be either a fluxgate or a total field magnetometer. However, the threshold power requirement must be under 0.45 watts.

The algorithms should be modular, configurable, and able to be recalibrated for mission or sensor housing type to be used in various magnetometer systems. Algorithms must be capable of processing magnetic sensor data in real time and support high probability of detection with low false alarm rate as well as prevention of false positives created by geomagnetic noise and motion induced noise. Algorithms should be capable of detecting and identifying object features.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

PHASE I: Develop a concept to facilitate object identification, detection, and localization using 3-axis magnetometers that meets the requirements described above. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concept in meeting Navy needs and establish that the concept can be feasibly developed into a useful product for the Navy. Feasibility will be established by testing and analytical modeling.

The Phase I Option, if awarded, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop and deliver a prototype for evaluation as appropriate. The prototype will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II SOW and the Navy requirements for the algorithms. Demonstrate performance across a broad set of Government Furnished Information (GFI) data. Performance will be validated against Government-provided object truth. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Navy use. The company will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Navy use.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Provide technical and transition support for the incorporation of the solution into Navy program(s). Depending on the particular program, support for additional testing may be needed. Explore the potential to transfer the system or technology to other military and commercial systems, including the scientific community for geological exploration of deep structures of the Earth and altitude control on satellites.

REFERENCES:

1. Renaudin, Valérie; Afzal, Muhammad Haris and Lachapelle; Gérard. "Complete Triaxis Magnetometer Calibration in the Magnetic Domain." Hindawi Publishing Corporation, Journal of Sensors Volume 2010, Article ID 967245, 10 pages, 26 October 2010.

. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2010/967245

2. Seidel, Marc; Frey, Torsten and Greinert, Jens. "Underwater UXO detection using magnetometry on hovering AUVs." Wiley Online Library. Article Accepted: 14 January 2023. Accessed April 4, 2024,. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/rob.22159

3. National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual (NISP), 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq. (1993). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-B/chapter-XX/part-2004

KEYWORDS: Algorithms; Magnetometer; Water Column; Object Detection; Compensate for Noise and Changes to the Magnetic Field; Triaxial; Magnetic Calibration

TPOC 1: Theodore Smallow
(202) 781-2026
Email: [email protected]

TPOC 2: Ivan Rodriguez-Pint
(111) 111-111
Email: [email protected]

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