N252-093 TITLE: Ambient Acoustic Noise Cancelling for Military Boom Microphones
OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems
OBJECTIVE: Design device(s) that will provide cancellation of ambient acoustic noise in the electrical signal from a military boom microphone.
DESCRIPTION: Microphones operating in high-noise environments transmit a significant amount of ambient acoustic noise to the ear in addition to the desired speech signal. This results in higher, and potentially damaging, at-ear noise levels and reduced speech intelligibility.
Reducing acoustic noise carried in the electrical microphone signal will lower at-ear noise levels and improve speech intelligibility.
There is currently no capability in military aircraft to prevent undesired acoustic noise from entering the boom microphones along with the desired speech signal. The noise is transmitted as part of the electrical signal to the communication system and on to the ear. Noise cancellation technology exists for low-noise environments, such as call centers. Technology needs to be developed for the communications systems and high-noise environments of military aircraft. Solution(s) may include an add-on item in line with the existing microphone or microphone and preamplifier and/or replace the existing microphone or microphone and preamplifier.
Solution(s) must be suitable for military aircraft operational use and hardened for the shipboard EMI environment. Noise cancellation is expected to cover the entire operational frequency range of a standard military microphone and preamplifier.
Device(s) must be compatible with existing aircraft communication systems, listed in terms of priority, which provide either:
It is preferred that the device(s) be powered by existing aircraft power. If battery power is included in the solution, the device must not degrade the communication signal if battery fails.
Increase of weight on the head shall be no more than 50 grams. Priority will be given to designs that minimize weight. There shall be no increase in forward center of gravity offset of the system compared to legacy. Additions or changes to boom microphone shape or size must not degrade user visibility.
This topic aligns with PMA-202 focus area: Improved Aircrew Communication.
Deficient speech intelligibility can lead to errors and omissions in time-critical acts, which jeopardize flight safety and mission success. High intensity ambient noise during aircraft operations, which enters the communications system via the microphones, circumvents hearing protection.
1. Compatible with/adaptable to current flight helmets and communications gear
2. Independent of aircraft communications electronics and radios
Note: NAVAIR will provide Phase I awardees with the appropriate guidance required for human research protocols so that they have the information to use while preparing their Phase II Initial Proposal. Institutional Review Board (IRB) determination as well as processing, submission, and review of all paperwork required for human subject use can be a lengthy process. As such, no human research will be allowed until Phase II and work will not be authorized until approval has been obtained, typically as an option to be exercised during Phase II.
PHASE I: Design and build a functional prototype that provides ambient acoustic noise cancellation of the transmitted electrical microphone signal. Verify that the design can reduce pink noise with and without tonal components. Determine the noise reduction achieved in each 1/3 octave band. Verify that the speech signal is not degraded. The Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II.
Note: Please refer to the statement included in the Description above regarding human research protocol for Phase II.
PHASE II: Build and deliver operational prototypes suitable for the U.S. Navy to conduct flight testing. This will include validating the design reduces aircraft noise and determine noise reduction achieved in each 1/3 octave band and at tonal frequencies and conducting speech intelligibility testing relative to M-87 microphone and EMI testing.
Note: Please refer to the statement included in the Description above regarding human research protocol for Phase II.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Flight test, finalize design, and deliver production units. Transition to PMA-202 and add devices as approved items in the Aviation-Crew Systems, Aircrew Personal Protective Equipment Technical Manual.
Noise cancellation of a transmitted electrical microphone signal can be used for any head mounted microphone in a high- or extreme-noise environment. Device(s) can be used or adapted for use in general aviation aircraft.
REFERENCES:
KEYWORDS: Microphone; Noise cancelling; Noise cancellation; Noise reduction; Speech intelligibility; Communication
TPOC 1: Caroline Cooper
(240) 561-6454
[email protected]TPOC 2: Gunnar Eskeland
(240) 496-2759
[email protected]TPOC 3: Dan Gross
(240) 572-0437
[email protected]
** TOPIC NOTICE ** |
The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoD 25.2 SBIR BAA. Please see the official DoD Topic website at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations for any updates. The DoD issued its Navy 25.2 SBIR Topics pre-release on April 2, 2025 which opens to receive proposals on April 23, 2025, and closes May 21, 2025 (12:00pm ET). Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (April 2, 2025, through April 22, 2025) proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. The TPOC contact information is listed in each topic description. Once DoD begins accepting proposals on April 23, 2025 no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period. DoD On-line Q&A System: After the pre-release period, until May 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET, proposers may submit written questions through the DoD On-line Topic Q&A at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login/ by logging in and following instructions. In the Topic Q&A system, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing. DoD Topics Search Tool: Visit the DoD Topic Search Tool at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ to find topics by keyword across all DoD Components participating in this BAA.
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