Ultraviolet Communication for Medical Applications

Under this SBIR Imaging Systems Technology will demonstrate an ultraviolet (UV) non-line-of-sight (NLOS) bidirectional communication breadboard using an array of high output power UV-C Plasma-shell emitters. Ultra rugged, low cost short wavelength UV Plasma-shell emitters enable wireless military casualty monitoring systems with no RF interference and low detectability. Data rates of 57.6 kbps will be demonstrated at 50 meters with reasonable bit error rate. A model will be developed for indoor and outdoor scattering communication channels. The breadboard system will use COTS photomultplier tube (PMT) receivers with wide-angle optics that can be upgraded to semiconductor avalanche photodiodes (APD) as they become available. A comprehensive literature survey of past DoD-sponsored work will be a helpful resource for future UV NLOS development.