This proposal is for the design of an advanced interactive user interface for optimization algorithms. this immediate effort will assess whether new relational data base management methods and interactive graphics can be integrated with selected optimization algorithms to make mathematical models… More

Alphatech, inc. proposes to develop an integrated decentralized multivariable control system design methodology for problems related to the robust real-time control of very large flexible space structures (vlfss). a crucial need exists for the definition of a superior architecture of such control… More

The proposed research constitutes a first step in the utilization of alphatech's display design methodology to develop improved displaysystems for air crews in terrain following flight. it involves an analytical effort at alphatech, and an experimental validation at the university of connecticut.… More

The development of computer-aided design techniques for automated test program development is proposed. the approach will be to view the test program development process as consisting of equipment modeling, functional test sequencing, test pattern generation and sequencing, test verification, and… More

Alphatech proposes to develop innovative algorithms for airborne multi-spectral countermeasure management built upon our previously developed advanced algorithms for electronic countermeasure (ecm) power management for use against ground-base air defense threats. these algorithms determine optimal… More

The objective of this research is to prove the feasibility of using a novel approach of combined symbolic and numerical information processing to aid e-2c operators to carry out their surveillance mission. due to the vast amout of surveillance data that needs to be processed, e-c2 operators face a… More

The objective of this research is to demonstrate the feasibility of fusing data obtained simultaneously from visible, infrared and radar sensors, to provide a heretofore unobtainable surveillance capability.the difficulties assocaited with sensor fusion which will be addressedinclude the different… More

The proposed phase i research will build on alphatech's theoretical work on the generation of critical options in tactical planning and alphatech's practical experience observing planning deficiencies in field exercises. both normative theory and descriptions of actual planning behavior will be used… More

Alphatech's iterative modeling methodology (aimm) develops a system representation by using a team-based approach to developing a series of chart-based models of the system within the context of an appropriate scenario; this set of chart-based models culminates with a petri net representation which… More

The objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of using the stochastic, timed, attributed petri net (stapn) methodology to describe and analyze alternative naval c3 architectures. the us navy is in the process of developing c3 architectures to support the navy's mission and… More

This sbir proposal discusses the development of a theory of tactical decision making expertise, based on existing literature and interviews with key military personnel. our central theoretical idea is that expert tactical commanders have a mental model of the battle situation that differs in… More

The objective of this research is to develop and demonstrate an algorithm for e-3 airborne surveillance which will fuse data from multiple sensors including a radar, an iff, and an esm to track and identify multiple targets. the current e-3 surveillance system has a radar and an iff system. hostile… More

The objective of the phase i research effort will be to demonstrate the feasibility of using gaas crystal radius estimates, obtained by applying neural network techniques to process video imagery, for real time control of the liquid-encapsulated czochralski (lec) process. a crystal radius estimate… More

Two significant trends in image processing technology offer revolutionary performance improvements for a variety of air force applications. one is the development of data fusion algorithms which operate directly on video data from a sensor, as opposed to conventional techniques which detect point… More

The proposed phase i research will build on alphatech's combined expertise in multisensor data fusion algorithms and in human engineering for command and control systems. the goal of phase i will be to understand and define the most critical issues for the display of miiltisensor target tracking and… More

The objective of the research is to develop scheduling algorithms for electric generation that account directly forsystem security requirements. virtually all algorithms in use currently do not optimize generating unit commitment decisions against security requirements from the outset and yield,… More

This exploratory development proposal addresses a class of novel algorithms specifically designed for tracking and engaging maneuvering air, naval or ground targets. The key technical innovation is the development of linear and nonlinear target tracking algorithms using the recent results in… More

The objective of the research is to develop and demonstrate directed energy weapon (dew) fire control algorithms for ballistic missile defense. earlier reseach conducted by alphatech, inc., for the air force rome air devleopment center (radc) demonstrated that the simulated boost-phase leakage… More

New techniques have been developed over the past 36 months that offer siginificant potential for on-board monitoring of mechanical systems to detect and classify incipent failures. many are based on the wavelet transform, and its extension to the wave packets transform. all provide a means to… More

Three new techniques have been developed over the past 36 months that offer significant potential for on-board monitoring of mechanical systems to detect and classify incipient failures. The first is the wavelet transform, and its extension to wave packets, as a means for isolating changes in signal… More

The objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of using advanced Petri iiet technology to analyze the performance of large-scale sensor and C3 (i.e., C3I) systems. The US Navy is developing future C3I systems to support its mission and fundamental warfare tasks. The decision of which… More

Using SAR/ISAR imagery to detect and classify small targets in cluttered environments for ASW applications requires careful examination of the full array of image processing, computer vision, and related methods in order to identify those that are well-matched to the problem and thus offer promise… More

Computer-based instruction offers the opportunity to increase training efficiency by adapting training to the individual needs and characteristics of the operator, but insight is needed into how to make the best use of this potential. ALPHATECH proposes to design (In Phase I) and develop (in Phase… More

There are strong motivations for the development of new signal, image, and data processing algorithms that are well-matched to atr problems and thus offer promise in exploiting the specific spatio-temporal characteristics that distinguish targets of interest from environmental clutter. in this… More

Continuing increases in computing capability present numerous opportunities to assist the staff of a command center as they analyze enemy operations, construct and evaluate courses of action, and monitor the execution of the selected option. Nowhere are these opportunities more critical than in the… More

This project will assess the feasibility of developing a method and integrated toolset to represent, design, and evaluate the behavior of large, complex, a real-time Naval systems. ALPHATECH has developed an interactive graphical simulation tool, called Modeler, which supports complex systems design… More

The introduction of a whole new class of transform methods, notably the wavelet transforms, which permit decomposition of observed phenomena into different physical scales and the computational leverage provided by multiscale image processing tech- niques, when applied to multisensor Lmage data,… More

This proposal will refine recent stability-robustness and performance-robustness methods from multivariable feedback control theory and use these concepts to develop practical testing techniques, and eventually testing hardware, for evaluating performance properties of adaptive optics systems. the… More

The objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of using advanced petri net technology to analyze the performance of large-scale c3 systems. the us air force is undergoing a major restructuting of its forces in response to the changing global situation and the resulting shift in… More

Under the performance levels currently achievable for automated target-recognition (ATR) systems, the human operator plays an essential role in screening ATR detections and rejecting false alarms. A critical advantage of human operators over ATR systems is their ability to make use of situation… More

ALPHATECH has recently developed an integrated software environment for developing and testing prototype fault detection and identification (FDI) systems. It has been applied with excellent results (zero false and missed alarms, with 4% probability of deferral to the next decision time) to… More

Today's tactical aircraft employ sophisticated onboard sensors which can be managed in several dimensions, including spatial focus, sensing modality, and temporal scheduling. Effective mission operations, such as air interdiction and counter air, require efficient sensor control and scheduling that… More

In Phase I, ALPHATECH will define a model-neutral data structure and supporting access mechanisms that will provide interoperability between different modeling methodologies in support of large scale systems engineering. The model-neutral data structure will provide a common data representation of… More

There are strong motivations for the development of accurate, efficient algorithms for the three-dimensional location of stationary or moving targets from one or more video sensors. In this proposal we describe an effort to accomplish this task by exploiting ALPHATECH's unique expertise in all… More

The objective of this research is to define and validate an Avionics Information Fusion System (AIFS) which optimally combines onboard and offboard data. We propose an architecture containing an offboard data processor to extract data relevant to the mission, and a set of fusion modules for… More

The objective of the research effort will be to apply optimization technology to developing a coordinated collection plan for a set of airborne platforms. This problem is important because of the imminent addition of the Tier2+ (Global Hawk) and Tier3- (Dark Star) Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) to… More

In this effort ALPHATECH will develop algorithms for extraction of purposeful temporal-spatial patterns from moving vehicle data and demonstrate their efficiency on a set of simulated MPA scenarios. We apply unsupervised learning algorithms to find similarities between traffic activities. Traffic… More

In this effort we will design and demonstrate the benefits of an integrated fusion system (IFS) for continuous monitoring of targets. The proposed IFS architecture will ensure that all available sensor data is used to generate a consistent picture of target tracks and activities, and it will enable… More

Achieving global awareness by automatically exploiting sensor data will provide tremendous advantage to the warfighter. However, camouflage, concealment, and deception (CC&D) can be effective countermeasures against surveillance systems. The most promising strategies for defeating CC&D exploit… More

recent advances in sensor technology have enabled collection of vast quantities of battlefield information. Warfighters will soon gain global access to this huge volume of information. Rather than construct separate redundant, and inconsistent situation estimates, a Dynamic Database can reduce the… More

Network surveys hold great promise for information and data gathering, and would allow almost instantaneous access to large and diverse populations. Although there is a mature literature on survey methodology in other media, little is known about how networks might interact with survey processes or… More

This research develops innovative techniques for updating 3D representations of targets used for SAR ATR, e.g., of the type being employed on DARPA's MSTAR program, directly from data. The work will provide a critical bridge between models and data, allowing image exemplars of modified targets to… More

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from Applicant's Abstract): The applicants proposed to evaluate a new algorithm for ultrasound B-scan image formation. The algorithm is based on a hybrid continuous-discrete state imaging model that represents the effects of abrupt changes in attenuation and scatterer… More

The objective of this research is to define and validate an Avionics Information Fusion System (AIFS) which optimally combines onboard and offboard data. We propose an architecture containing an offboard data processor to extract data relevant to the mission, and a set of fusion modules for… More

recent advances in sensor technology have enabled collection of vast quantities of battlefield information. Warfighters will soon gain global access to this huge volume of information. Rather than construct separate redundant, and inconsistent situation estimates, a Dynamic Database can reduce the… More

We propose a two-pronged program for developing Air Force capability in SAR/FLIR sensor fusion for automatic target recognition (ATR). In the first component of this program, we will design, implement and demonstrate a sequence of increasingly sophisticated SAR/FLIR fusion systems, each tuned to… More

We propose a two-pronged program for developing Air Force capability in SAR/FLIR sensor fusion for automatic target recognition (ATR). In the first component of this program, we will design, implement and demonstrate a sequence of increasingly sophisticated SAR/FLIR fusion systems, each tuned to… More

We propose a comprehensive program for analyzing the performance of multi-source georegistration systems needed to support theater-wide sharing and fusing of information for Air Force platforms and missions. We have designed our program to build upon the work done under AFRL's Theater-wide… More

Alphatech proposes to develop an integrated human engineering toolset to support the effective design of complex human-machine systems. The toolset will be based around two central concepts: human-centered engineering and integrated tools. By human centered engineering we mean a system designed… More

The prodigious amount of information provided by surveillance systems and other information sources has created unprecedented opportunities for achieving situation awareness. However, due to the fact that Air Force missions are constantly evolving and specific user information needs are not… More

This research effort will develop technology for optimizing strategy selection for a set of airborne intelligence collection platforms. This problem is important because of the need to maintain precise situational awareness of the battlespace given limited assets of different types/capabilities. … More

Not Available This is a proposal for an Advanced Discrimination Ladar Receiver (ADLR). The ADLR concept is based upon state-of-the-art integrated circuits and image tube technology. The concept is very innovative with enormous potential for increasing performance above existing… More

Not Available AmberWave proposes to demonstrate and develop III-V metal semiconductor field effect transistors (MESFETs) and high mobility transistors (HEMTs) on Si using its proprietary technology in the epitaxial deposition of high-quality III-V compounds on Si substrates. The technology employs… More

Not Available Optical time division multiplexed networks for multi-terabit communication links require ultra-fast all optical switches to be feasible. This program will demonstrate an enabling technology, intersubband transitions in AlyGa1-yN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs), that will permit the… More

Not Available AI and Expert System technology offer the capability of capturing human decision processes. Developing a general schema for capturing the knowledge required for each CIC position facilitates the development of Intelligent Watch Station Software Modules to automatically perform the… More

The utility of continuously tracking vehicles in a battlefield has been demonstrated during the Gulf War and other recent conflicts. However, the ability to achieve reliable continuous tracking in many environments will require the use of FOPEN radar andefficient use of sensor resources. In this… More

Today's commercial video surveillance and monitoring (VSAM) systems are capable of producing enormous video streams that are over-whelming for human operators to review. But with automated intelligent interpretation of the imagery we can track and classifymoving objects of interest, collect spatial… More

Airborne systems for ground surveillance of mobile targets are increasingly providing significant tactical information for military operations. Fusion of ground moving target indicator (GMTI) radar data from multiple airborne platforms with overlappingfields of regard can improve tracking of moving… More

Sensor platforms transmit data to a central tracker using communication networks in a multi-platform network-centric tracking system. Measurements can arrive out-of-sequence (OOS) at the central tracker due to varying data preprocessing times at theplatforms, delays in transmission initiation, and… More

ALPHATECH proposes to develop techniques and tools for near real-time dynamic re-tasking of ISR sensors under realistic operating conditions. Effective ISR resource management must coordinate a diverse set of assets with a wide range of capabilitiesoperating in an uncertain environment satisfying a… More

We propose to develop and evaluate robust model-based approaches to combat ID by fusing multi-look SAR imagery of ground vehicles. We have already developed a baseline decision-level multi-look fusion approach, based on the MSTAR system, that accumulatesevidence over target type. Extensive… More

Cooperative, autonomous control is required to realize the full potential of autonomous assets in a tactical operational setting. For a tactical battlespace, there are many levels of applications requiring cooperative control. This proposal addresses themission control level where the control task… More

ALPHATECH proposes to design, develop, and demonstrate an integrated multi-source sensor simulation (MS3). It will be built upon a software infrastructure specifically designed for the integration of legacy software components. ALPHATECH will exercise theproposed architecture by integrating several… More

Naval intelligence centers validate, correlate, and analyze information from various sources (cryptologic sensors, tactical airborne reconnaissance, units in contact with the enemy, etc.) to generate Indications and Warning (I&W) in support of friendlyoperations. Increasingly, naval intelligence… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose to develop an effective ultrasound-based real-time brachytherapry treatment planning system that improves brachytherapy outcomes through better dose coverage, reduction in manual workload, and shorter treatment… More

ALPHATECH will develop a prototype performance evaluation test bed software system capable of evaluating alternate concepts for distributed multiplatform sensor control. The performance evaluation test bed will be developed using object oriented softwaredesign techniques. The prototype test bed… More

Missions for Special Operations Forces (SOF) are distinctive in their heavy joint service participation, their strict timing constraints, and their peculiar equipment requirements. Lift support planning for multiple SOF missions requires flexible assetscheduling, intelligent asset tracking and… More

We propose a comprehensive program to develop FOPEN registration algorithms, evaluate their performance, and implement the algorithms in a software package suitable for delivery to AFRL. An accurate and robust registration capability is a requirement formany FOPEN automatic target detection… More

ALPHATECH proposes to develop a framework that supports building distributed applications with emphasis on information fusion. Heterogeneous components can be encapsulated so that they can inter-operate through a set of common APIs and a shared definitionof a common domain of interest. The resulting… More

ALPHATECH proposes to develop a framework that supports building distributed applications with emphasis on information fusion. Heterogeneous components can be encapsulated so that they can inter-operate through a set of common APIs and a shared definitionof a common domain of interest. The resulting… More

Building large knowledge bases is currently a time-consuming, labor-intensive process conducted by highly trained knowledge engineers. As knowledge-based systems become increasingly widespread, new

ALPHATECH will develop a prototype performance evaluation test bed software system capable of evaluating alternate concepts for distributed multiplatform sensor control. The performance evaluation test bed will be developed using object oriented softwaredesign techniques. The prototype test bed… More

Missions for Special Operations Forces (SOF) are distinctive in their heavy joint service participation, their strict timing constraints, and their peculiar equipment requirements. Lift support planning for multiple SOF missions requires flexible assetscheduling, intelligent asset tracking and… More

Building large knowledge bases is currently a time-consuming, labor-intensive process conducted by highly trained knowledge engineers. As knowledge-based systems become increasingly widespread, new

For SAR, spatial and temporal adaptive processing (STAP) uses samples local to the cell being processed to estimate local clutter and noise statistics. If these samples are corrupted by returns from other unknown targets, the statistics are invalid and theperformance of the algorithms can be… More

We propose a comprehensive program to develop FOPEN registration algorithms, evaluate their performance, and implement the algorithms in a software package suitable for delivery to AFRL. An accurate and robust registration capability is a requirement formany FOPEN automatic target detection… More

"Airborne systems for ground surveillance of mobile targets provde ever more significant tactical information for military operations. Fusion of ground moving target indicator (GMTI) radar data from multiple airborne platforms with overlapping fields ofregard can improve tracking of moving ground… More

"It is widely recognized that improved real-time dynamic retasking of airborne Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance sensors is needed to enable rapid information gathering in support of tactical battlefield operations. Proposed Air Force modernizationplans feature a distributed C2 architecture… More

"We propose to develop advanced multi-sensor multi-target out-of-sequence measurement (OOSM) filtering and data association algorithms using a central tracking architecture, evaluate their performance, and implement the algorithms in ALPHATECH's extensivelytested and evaluated GMTI Precision Fire… More

"Distributed autonomous cooperative control is required to realize the full potential of autonomous assets in a tactical operational setting. For a tactical battlespace, there are many levels of applications requiring cooperative control. This researchaddresses the mission control level where the… More

"In our Phase I study we developed and evaluated several initial approaches to fusing multiple-looks for SAR combat ID. Extensive evaluation of decision-level multi-look fusion showed there were significant performance benefits compared with single lookID. In Phase I of this SBIR, we developed and… More

"Recent studies have shown that the performance of Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) degrades when there are moving targets in the secondary training data. Although a variety of techniques have been proposed for controlling the effects of targets inthe secondary data (TSD), these techniques… More

"Shipboard intelligence centers deployed in littoral regions arethe "front line" for naval intelligence gathering. Onboardcryptanalysts need to monitor multiple information sources fortrends and deviations from expected norms, detect and properlyinterpret the unusual, and generate Indications and… More

"Effects-based operations must determine how the enemy might respond to air strikes. Current approaches to predicting enemy response to target damage suffer from serious limitations: they typically do not consider how the enemy might repair or modify thestructure of a target system, they typically… More

"The primary goal of this SBIR is to develop a layered architectural approach for future inter-exchange gateways that enables data translation from one medium to another and/or among several mediums. For example, with the mandated proliferation of Link-16over the next 5 years, every SPO must work… More

"A novel biomimetic range sensor is described which offers improved guidance, navigation and control capabilities and enhanced situational awareness for autonomous air vehicles. Inspired by the motion detection algorithm found in the visual systems offlying insects, the sensor images the surrounding… More

"Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) has been proven critical to national defense. Currently, E-2C, S-3B, P-3C and EP-3 aircraft are used to support the Navy's ISR primary missions. Desires to utilize UAVs have significantlyenabled platform advances, but still demand the… More

"We propose novel data-adaptive approaches for processing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) phase history data to automatically assess subtle damage inflicted by small sub-munitions on military ground vehicles. These techniques are designed for a battlefieldscenario in which the ground vehicle under… More

"Missile Defense Engagement Planning systems are highly automated. It is the system developers, not the commanders of those systems, who are formulating the engagement planning problem and thereby deciding how engagements will be planned and executed. Inthe history of warfare system developers have… More

"Laser Radar (ladar) sensors are under consideration for BMD ground and interceptor platforms. An advantage of ladar over other modalities, such as SAR, is that it has very high range and Doppler (range rate) resolution. Therefore, ladar has the potentialto separate, characterize, and classify… More

"The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is scoped to provide timely and accurate warning of missile attacks against the United States and Allied forces worldwide. The SBIRS Low component provides information to active defensive systems by detecting andtracking intercontinental, intermediate/medium,… More

"We propose novel data-adaptive approaches for processing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) phase history data to automatically assess subtle damage inflicted by small sub-munitions on military ground vehicles. These techniques are designed for a battlefieldscenario in which the ground vehicle under… More

"Alphatech proposes a novel technique for Diagnostics, Prognostics, and Health Management (PHM) of interconnected mechanical subsystems, using physics-based models and multi-hypothesis technologies. In collaboration with Rolls-Royce, our effort is focusedtowards PHM development for the highly… More

"In the proposal, we will extend ALPHATECH's dynamic programming based approach to sensor resource management so that it can control a network of heterogeneous sensors. To reduce the complexity of the problem to a manageable level, the system will employ ahierarchical approach and will assume that… More

"We propose to characterize performance levels of a model-based 3D LADAR ATR system in order to understand the applicability of LADAR sensors to target exploitation in complex scenes. The MSTAR program has successfully demonstrated the applicability ofmodel-based recognition to 2D SAR processing of… More

"It is widely recognized that improved real-time dynamic replanning of airborne Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) assets is needed to enable rapid information gathering in support of tactical battlefield operations. Moreover, the problem ofreal-time ISR resource management is magnified… More

"Laser radar (LADAR) has emerged as one of the key technology candidates for application as a precision weapon terminal seeker. Targets of interest include unplanned targets of opportunity, such as fixed buildings and bunkers, and relocatable and movingtargets. To discriminate such targets, a seeker… More

"We propose to characterize performance levels of a model-based 3D LADAR ATR system in order to understand the applicability of LADAR sensors to target exploitation in complex scenes. The MSTAR program has successfully demonstrated the applicability ofmodel-based recognition to 2D SAR processing of… More

"Accurate targeting using standoff missiles, such as JASSM, requires automatic target correlation algorithms using significant target features. Wireframe models that describe the significant edges and corners of fixed targets are well suited for this task.Great advances in wireframe construction… More

"While there have been a number of recent advances in track precision and maintenance via the AMSTE program, long-term track maintenance remains an elusive goal. Track breaks are primarily the result of miss-detections due to micro-obscuration from foliageand buildings and or due to the vehicle… More

"In shallow water environments or using broadband processing, sonar signals can exhibit highly non-Gaussian noise statistics due to the discrete nature of the background returns from different clutter elements in different range/bearing resolution cells.Optimal likelihood detectors rely crucially on… More

"Effective use of models and simulations (M&S) requires the visualization of model-related information at three stages-model construction, model manipulation, and model analysis. M&S applications do not always have a native visualization environment, buteven when they do, the environment rarely… More

"Cooperative, autonomous control is required to realize the full potential of autonomous UAVs in a tactical military setting. This proposal addresses the cooperative platform control problem where the control task is to coordinate teams of small,expendable, platforms to perform Intelligence,… More

"The requirements for true network-centric operations extend beyond the physical integration of heterogeneous networks and systems to include the timely delivery of the right information from the right source to the requestor across the network. Thisconcept is essential for battlespace information… More

"An operational move-stop-move tracking capability would lead to dramatic improvements in overall battlefield awareness because it would increase the availability of sensing and exploitation assets that currently must be tasked to re-establish targetidentity after track breaks. The critical… More

"ALPHATECH proposes to develop advanced optimization-based algorithmic methods for the control of distributed sensing systems in extended operating conditions. In particular, we will investigate algorithms for the control of sensor arrays operating underextended operating conditions, that is… More

"Target tracking and classification form a coupled problem due to mutual dependence of the continuous kinematic state and discrete target class. Many tracking systems treat tracking and classification either separately or only utilize the one-way couplingbetween tracking and classification. We… More

"Effective missile defense relies on an array of sensors performing diverse collection tasks to successfully engage a missile attack. Sensors cannot cover the entire battle volume continuously, and Sensor Management is needed to allocate sensors to tasksproviding the greatest mission utility. Prior… More

"Helicopters of the United States Special Operations Command perform missions that require flight at extremely low altitudes and high speeds in order to avoid detection. Currently MH-60K and MH-47E aircraft use a multi mode radar (MMR) to navigate andavoid ground hazards. Such active systems are… More

"ALPHATECH will develop and demonstrate algorithms for managing multi-mode radars and using the acquired profiles to identify targets with high confidence. ALPHATECH has existing technology and expertise in profile exploitation and sensor resourcemanagement. However, no system has been developed… More

"Multi-platform, decentralized tracking for air and ground surveillance has the potential to significantly outperform centralized tracking approaches. Although in principle the centralized architecture is optimal, its use is hampered by the need tointerface with legacy systems, by finite bandwidth… More

The primary objective of this SBIR is to implement a proof-of-concept interoperability gateway based on a layered architectural design developed in Phase One. The goal is to demonstrate the viability of a layered translation architecture for developinginter-exchange gateways that must perform data… More

Effects-based operations must determine how the enemy might respond to air strikes. Current approaches to predicting enemy response to target damage suffer from serious limitations: they typically do not consider how the enemy might repair or modify thestructure of a target system, they typically… More

ALPHATECH proposes a novel approach for prognostics, diagnostics, and health management (PHM) of interconnected aircraft subsystems, using hybrid reduced-order prognostic models and extensions to existing diagnostic FMECA analyses. This technology will beapplied at the area reasoner level of the… More

High-accuracy standoff missile targeting systems such as JASSM require prominent geometric features for automatic target correlation. Three-dimensional wireframe models can precisely describe object boundaries (edges and corners) and are thus well-suitedrepresentations of fixed targets. The past two… More

While there have been a number of recent advances in track precision and maintenance via the AMSTE program, long-term track maintenance remains an elusive goal. Track breaks are primarily the result of miss-detections due to micro-obscuration from foliageand buildings and or due to the vehicle… More

A broad range of surveillance technologies is required for the successful prosecution of time-critical targets (TCTs). These technologies include detection, tracking, identification (ID), sensor resource management (SRM), and battle damage assessment.For mobile missile launcher TCTs (e.g. SCUD… More

We propose a methodological advance for performance optimization of feature-level data asociation in tracking and ATR algorithms, thereby improving MOPs such as probability of correct associations (Pca), probability of correct identification (Pid), andtrack purity. Our approach augments GMTI… More

Ground target tracking performance can be improved through the use of appropriately collected target signatures. In particular, associating reports and tracks is especially enhanced in dense target environments and move-stop-move scenarios. To supportassociation, the signatures need to be collected… More

An essential capability of an information gathering architecture is the ability to adapt to dynamic re-tasking requirements (i.e. the ability to manage real-time moding, pointing, and directing of ISR sensors) commensurate with the decision-making timescale of tactical, battlefield operations. … More

ALPHATECH proposes to develop advanced optimization-based algorithms that can be applied to improve advanced sensor resource management techniques. In this effort, we will extend stochastic dynamic programming-based sensor resource models, which providenear-optimal algorithms that utilize… More

Maintaining continuous track of high-value ground targets in complex environments using only a single sensing modality such as radar, presents a number of challenges for which the use of complementary sensors offers a potential solution. Even withsimultaneous radar modalities such as ground moving… More

Future strike missions will need to utilize intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and other off-board data assets to improve the geo-location, detection and identification of targets. To share and fuse data from multiple sources, it is necessaryfirst to reference the different sources of… More

Target discrimination is one of the critical components of the midcourse phase processing in providing effective missile defense. Currently, detailed models that use an elaborate discrete Bayesian network predict the sensor phenomenology for each possibletarget type and sensor. The predicted… More

With the appropriate processing algorithms, surface-based radar has the potential to discriminate reentry vehicles from other threat objects in the presence of clutter, which is a critical part of the BMD problem. Discrimination is based on resolving theobjects in range, and characterizing each… More

We propose a new automatic target recognition (ATR) system that operates on video data, exploiting the inherent redundancy and spatio-temporal coherence of motion imagery to create three-dimensional target signatures. Unlike previous approaches that useshape alone, our method will additionally model… More

Detecting and disrupting a terrorist network requires the ability to: link disparate (noisy, deceptive) data and recognize patterns in the underlying networks, estimate where further intelligence would be useful, and predict the network's response topossible attacks.We propose to combine… More

Organic Air Vehicles have the potential to dramatically improve knowledge of the battlespace by providing persistent networked coverage which can dynamically adjust to changing conditions. These systems require novel algorithms which can address theproblems of positioning, sensor resource… More

The goal of this SBIR is to develop a capability to securely transmit cryptographic keys over wireless networking environments. The utilization of affordable commercial wireless technologies is a potential solution for automating the key distributionprocess to forward-deployed military units. As… More

The long-term objective of this SBIR is to establish a robust, flexible distributed fusion and resource management testbed with capability to ingest payload, state-of-health, warning sensor, and off-board data. The testbed will support implementation andevaluation of alternative distributed data… More

ALPHATECH proposes, in conjunction with our partners, Rolls-Royce North America, a novel approach to the prognostic modeling of drivetrain clutch systems, combining dynamic modeling of transients with physics-of-failure based hazard modeling. Inparticular, our effort is focused towards the F35B… More

Naval C4ISR systems are inherently distributed, relying on a variety of platforms and sensors to supply various aspects of the littoral battlespace. The ASW and MCM commanders require an accurate and timely scene that is developed within a network-centricinfrastructure, with the ultimate goal of… More

ALPHATECH proposes to develop a tool addressing the unique planning needs of the tactical Tomahawk weapon system. Using an innovative combination of optimization techniques, this tool will generate cruise missile strike plans - missile trajectories andtarget coverage schedules - and generate new… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is focused on developing novel network routing techniques that provide power-conserving, latency-minimized, throughput-maximized data delivery in mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) environments. It is well known that existing shortest path… More

ALPHATECH proposes a component-based software architecture and algorithms approach for multi-vehicle intelligent planning and control to support Future Combat Systems (FCS) resupply operations. The proposed system will enable a small number of humanoperators to rapidly develop, execute, and… More

The Large N ASW problem can be summarized as pervasive short-range sensors with limited communication capabilities. The driving questions are how are false alarms controlled-not necessarily from an individual sensor node, but from the overallfield-performance of individual sensor nodes, the amount… More

Developing confident fused estimates derived by combining multi-source data (e.g. sensor data, human intelligence reports and open-source data) is a challenge for intelligence analysts. Data that can provide evidence about terrorist network operations aresparse, uncertain, disparate, and can… More

Identifying toxic-substance exposure at low, subtoxic concentrations requires interpretation of complex, time-related changes in gene, protein, and metabolite expression patterns. We propose a statistical pattern recognition software tool based onflexible and adaptable modules. In Phase I, we will… More

The information age has produced a flood of information to system operators and decision-makers in a multitude of application domains. Each piece of data that feeds a system can produce complex interactions with other data in the scenario. This projectwill examine the uncertainty associated with… More

Our Phase I effort explored combining a Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP) solver with a Constraint Satisfaction Reasoning (CSR) system to provide an "agile" missile defense engagement planner. We demonstrated the ability to accept a missile defense problem formulation at run-time and execute the… More

Our Phase I effort explored using Dynamic Bayesian Networks (DBNs) to predict results of sensor tasking in missile defense Sensor Resource Management (SRM). The DBN output was coupled with engagement planning analysis to take advantage of two proven approaches to improving missile defense SRM;… More

High-Resolution Radar (HRR) range profiles provide a means to improve a GMTI tracker's performance when vehicles enter kinematically ambiguous situations. There is a need for methods that process HRR profiles on-the-fly, enhance their features, discover the salient features, and learn robust… More

ALPHATECH proposes to develop a modular system for building and evaluating autonomous multi-sensor geo-registration technologies based on a rigorous mathematical framework and the utilization of a multi-attribute geospatial database. The multi-sensor geo-registration problem is an estimation… More

Advanced optimization-based algorithms for sensor resource management have been previously developed to support Level 1 sensor data fusion (object or track-level) estimates. In the proposed effort, ALPHATECH will further develop a computational framework that can be used to represent the expected… More

An essential capability of an information gathering architecture is the ability to adapt to dynamic re-tasking requirements (i.e. the ability to manage real-time moding, pointing, and directing of ISR sensors) commensurate with the decision-making time scale of tactical, battlefield operations. … More

Maintaining continuous track of high-value ground targets in complex environments presents challenges for which use of complementary sensors offers a solution. A significant problem is targets moving in and out of hide sites, where track is lost and identification of targets emerging from hide is… More

We propose a methodology for improving perfomrance of ATR and tracking algorithms. We discover and develop high-value features and templates extracted from multi-sensor and multi-look data, and enhance their utility using model-based and learing-based feature level fusion (and hypothesis level… More

Surveillance technologies required for the successful prosecution of time-critical targets (TCTs) include detection, tracking, identification (ID), sensor resource management (SRM), and battle damage assessment. Because SCUD TELs are rarely stationary while in the open, moving-target ID is a… More

Ground target tracking performance can be improved through the use of appropriately collected target signatures. In particular, associating reports and tracks is especially enhanced in dense target environments and move-stop-move scenarios. To support association, the signatures need to be collected… More

This Phase 2 effort establishes a robust, flexible Rapid Attack Discrimination & Response (RADR) software evaluation testbed for design and evaluation of distributed attack recognition and defense planning capabilities for U.S. satellites. The RADR testbed will ingest satellite payload,… More

We propose an end-to-end video-based system for online class recognition of moving vehicles observed by a passive stationary camera. SAVOR (or System for Automated Video-based Object Recognition) continuously detects, tracks, and classifies vehicles within the camera's field of view in real time,… More

The development of inexpensive unmanned aircraft will soon bring the opportunity to place persistent organic hovering sensors at key locations in support of intelligence gathering, targeting, and force protection missions. As many of the sensor packages flown on these assets will be line-of-sight… More

The goal of this SBIR is to develop a capability for securely transmitting cryptographic keys over wireless networking environments. The lack of perimeter defenses in wireless networks demands that all transmitters/receivers possess cryptographic devices to protect sensitive data. With the… More

ALPHATECH proposes, in conjunction with our partners, Rolls-Royce North America, a novel approach to the on-line prognostic modeling of drivetrain clutch systems, combining dynamic modeling of the clutch transients with physics-of-failure based hazard modeling. In particular, our effort is focused… More

ALPHATECH has developed a prototype planning tool, dubbed RATTLER, for Robust Automated Tactical Tomahawk Loitering and Engagement Router, in Phase I of this SBIR effort. RATTLER uses a variety of optimization techniques to construct missile trajectories that maximize target "coverage": the ability… More

Army Future Combat Systems (FCS) programs are revolutionizing sustainment concepts to include new inventory management techniques and robotics-enhanced Materials-Handling Equipment (MHE). Building on our Phase I work, we propose to automate key aspects of emerging sustainment tactics, techniques,… More

We propose to design and develop an algorithmic framework that reconstructs three-dimensional scene models from a video sequence collected by a single airborne camera. Compensating for the uncertainties introduced by measurement error and feature extraction, the system uses stochastic geometry to… More

The use of ADS-B to determine safe navigation of airspace is an important feature in the upgrade of the FAA NAS. This upgrade to the NAS will provide a far more accurate location system for aircraft, allowing safer and closer separations in the airspace. At the same time, reduction of the use of… More

Conventional ATRs are trained and configured off-line. Re-training and reconfiguring for new conditions and new targets are labor-intensive procedures, and there is no mechanism other than robustness to interpolate between the trained conditions. We propose to improve conventional model-based SAR… More

ALPHATECH proposes to design and develop an approach to the identification and prediction of events from the semi-automated fusion and evaluation of information from multiple disparate data sources. The core of this proposal is the semi-automatic, ad hoc, and intelligent assembly of fragments of… More

The objective of this Phase II SBIR is to develop a reference implementation and specification of the Phase 1 cross-layer wireless protocol that spans OSI layers 1 (physical) through 4 (transport) and reduces energy consumption in sensor networks; and validate its operation on a moderate-size sensor… More

Low bit rate speech coding is vital for communication in today's military environments. Currently, the Link-16 waveform uses the LPC-10e speech coder to perform this task at 2.4 kbs. However, Link-16 speech communication can potentially be improved with an upgrade to the newer Mixed Excitation… More

Airborne standoff radar surveillance systems have become major contributors to battlefield Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities. Current systems have limited capabilities to provide precise battle field situation awareness of low flying airborne threats due to radar system… More

Analysis and experimentation suggests that the Phase 1 goal, to develop an integrated process and systems architecture that automatically passes mensurated-targeting information to Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs) in flight, is feasible using existing systems. Our innovation builds upon related… More

The goal of this Phase 1 SBIR is to refine and evaluate an integrated cross-layer wireless networking protocol suite that spans OSI layers 2 (link) through 4 (transport) and reduces energy consumption in sensor networks. Early analysis suggests that an order of magnitude reduction in energy… More

We propose to develop algorithms to manage multiple networked sensors embedded in a system with significant latencies. Sources of latency can include limited bandwidth in communication channels; limited capabilities for processing collected data, especially imagery; and data collection times. … More

A boost-phase intercept (BPI) system aims to destroy attacking intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) while the booster rockets are still burning and before they have deployed mid-course decoys or released their munitions. Detection and tracking of the incoming missile under changing… More

ALPHATECH proposes an innovative prognostic and diagnostic reasoning assessment tool for Prognostic Health Management systems. The Self Assessment Tool for Intelligent Prognosis (SATIP) is focused towards prognosis of gradual failures in complex mechanical systems such as fatigue failures, in which… More

Our SBIR goals include 1) assessing architectural alternatives for future interoperability gateways that facilitate component testing, certification, and reuse, and 2) taking initial steps to implement selected alternatives. Historically, interoperability gateways required each link interface to… More

New LADAR air-to-ground weapon seekers generate precision, three-dimensional data that support high-confidence target discrimination and matching for search and terminal guidance. Targets of interest include fixed buildings and bunkers as well as re-locatable and moving targets. At the same time,… More

ALPHATECH and MIT propose to extend existing real-time mission manager, path planning, and video tracking technologies developed under DARPA, AFOSR, and AFRL programs to solve the Cooperative Search Acquisition and Track (CSAT) problem for multiple moving targets. This CSAT mission presents… More

New LADAR air-to-ground weapon seekers generate precision, three-dimensional data that support high-confidence target discrimination and matching for search and terminal guidance. Targets of interest include fixed buildings and bunkers as well as re-locatable and moving targets. At the same time,… More

Motion imagery comprises an information-rich data source complementary to radar and other sensors. Video cameras can operate in various frequency bands, including infrared (IR) and visible spectrum electro-optical (EO), and provide multi-dimensional measurements across both spatial and temporal… More

SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) systems have proved to be invaluable for many applications, both military and commercial, including automatic target detection and recognition (ATD/R), terrain mapping, change detection, battle damage assessment, and moving target refocusing and detection. The… More

Detection and tracking of dismounts in foliage is difficult due to low target speed, foliage attenuation, small target RCS, internal clutter motion, forest animals, and target motion dynamics. The detection of individual dismounts reliably with reasonable false alarm rates will be extremely… More

Object discrimination is one of the most important functions in ballistic missile defense since successful engagement and intercept of the warhead requires timely discrimination of lethal objects from decoys and other non-lethal objects. Multiple sensors exploiting diversity in phenomenology and… More

OptiScan Biomedical Corporation's Non-Invasive Glucose Monitor has demonstrated the capability to measure patient blood glucose concentrations using an induced cyclic temperature variation that modulates the natural mid-infrared radiation coming from the patient's tissue just below the surface of… More

Portable RCS verification systems that can be forward-deployed with low-observable (LO) aircraft, offer the potential to dramatically improve aircraft survivability and mission effectiveness. Modern LO aircraft with short- or vertical takeoff capabilities are designed to operate effectively without… More

ALPHATECH proposes to develop a tool addressing the challenging problem of computing operationally realistic routes and activity schedules for aerial vehicles, accounting for the competing objectives and nonlinear constraints inherent in military path planning. Using an innovative combination of… More

In shallow water environments or using broadband processing,detection statistics enerated from sonar data can exhibit highly non-Gaussian statistics due to the discrete nature of the returns from different clutter elements in different range resolution cells. Optimal likelihood detectors rely… More