Window-glass Telescope for Highly-compensated Ubiquitous Sensing (WITH US)
ID: HR0011ST2024D-03Type: Phase I
Overview

Topic

Window-glass Telescope for Highly-compensated Ubiquitous Sensing (WITH US)

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: STTRPhase: Phase IYear: 2024
Timeline
  1. 1
    Release Oct 3, 2023 12:00 AM
  2. 2
    Open Oct 3, 2023 12:00 AM
  3. 3
    Next Submission Due Mar 31, 2025 12:00 AM
  4. 4
    Close Mar 31, 2025 12:00 AM
Description

The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I program. The specific topic of the solicitation is the "Window-glass Telescope for Highly-compensated Ubiquitous Sensing (WITH US)". The objective of this program is to design, develop, and study a large collecting area telescope system that can detect faint objects in space using window(s) already installed on commercial office buildings. The goal is to utilize the massive quantity of in-situ commercial building windows as a tool for sensing faint objects or as a relay optic for sending light to a remote object. The solicitation seeks proposals to design a machine-learning or other system to characterize the surface shape of window glass, design a computational imaging system for hardware or numerical corrections, and design the physical realization of the telescope system. The project duration for Phase I is 12 months, and successful proposals should include modeling and simulation to achieve the goals. Phase II will further develop modeling methods and validate capabilities through hardware design, construction, and testing of prototype subsystems. The Phase II base effort should include a scalability study and a small-scale laboratory demonstration. The Phase II option effort should include a task dedicated to determining the feasibility of integrating components into a fieldable system capable of performing astronomical measurements. The ultimate goal is to commercialize the concept and apply it to various imaging applications, including ground-based Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and satellite surveillance.

Files
No associated files provided.
Similar Opportunities
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Autonomous Optical Sensors
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Autonomous Optical Sensors" as part of their SBIR program. The objective of this project is to develop a portable optical sensor that can capture high-quality real-time imagery data during missile tests. The sensor will be positioned near a missile launcher or target to analyze the terminal phase of the flight in remote locations where proper test infrastructure is unavailable. The Autonomous Optical Sensor (AOS) system will incorporate high-speed imaging cameras with advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. The sensor will operate autonomously for an extended period with either a battery or renewable energy source and wirelessly receive setup and calibration data from a centralized command center. In Phase I, the awardee will research and define an integrated AOS configuration that includes various types of optical sensors and develop an AI framework to manage the system. Phase II will involve creating a prototype of the AOS and refining the integrated system design for optimal performance. The potential impacts of this technology include collecting real-time imagery for air traffic management at airports or surveillance of sensitive areas. It can help track flights, assist in airspace coordination, and alert operators of potential safety or security concerns. The project duration is not specified, but the solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information and to submit a proposal, visit the DOD SBIR website.
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Lightweight Longwave Bolometer Sensor Components
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "Lightweight Longwave Bolometer Sensor Components" as part of the SBIR program. The objective of this topic is to develop components that enable low size, weight, and power (SWAP) thermal bolometer-type longwave thermal sensor payloads. These components should have equal or better performance than current commercial offerings while driving down SWAP. The components of interest include lens, focal plane, and readout and processing embedded hardware. The components should be ready for integration into a camera module by the end of Phase II. Thermal longwave infrared (LWIR) capabilities are crucial for many Army applications, especially for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). However, the size, power, and weight constraints often limit the performance of these sensors. This topic aims to develop components that reduce the weight of thermal payloads while increasing their capabilities and keeping unit costs low. The project will have a Phase I and Phase II, with Phase I proposals accepting a cost of up to $250,000 for a 6-month period of performance. During Phase I, firms should design a proposed component with stakeholder input, analyze the SWAP-C impact of the component, and discuss how it will support the objective sensor payload. Phase II will involve completing the component design, fabricating, testing, and characterizing the component for integration into a lightweight sensor payload. Firms will also refine the design, define relevant interfaces, and lay out a high-level plan for integration. The potential applications of this research include smartphone camera augmentation, UAV camera augmentation, home security systems, and climate tech development. The project references academic research on bolometer manufacturing methods and the efficacy of leveraging colloidal quantum dots (QDs) for IR light sensing. Military contractors have also contributed to the research in the LWIR sensor and bolometer manufacturing spaces. For more information and to submit proposals, visit the DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation notice on grants.gov or the DOD SBIR/STTR Opportunities page. The open date for proposals is October 3, 2023, and the close date is March 31, 2025.
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Autonomous Optical Sensors
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Autonomous Optical Sensors" as part of their SBIR program. The objective of this project is to develop a portable optical sensor that can capture high-quality real-time imagery data during missile tests. The sensor will be positioned near a missile launcher or target to analyze the terminal phase of the flight. The sensor will incorporate high-speed imaging cameras with advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, allowing it to calibrate and manage itself and operate autonomously for an extended period. The sensor will wirelessly receive setup and calibration data from a centralized command center. In Phase I, the awardee will research and define an integrated configuration of the Autonomous Optical Sensor (AOS) that includes various types of optical sensors and an AI framework. Phase II will involve creating a prototype of the AOS based on the Phase I analysis, refining the integrated system design, and conducting functional testing in an operational context. The potential applications of this technology include collecting real-time imagery for air traffic management at airports or surveillance of sensitive areas. It can help track flights, assist in airspace coordination, and alert operators of potential safety or security concerns. The project is currently open for proposals, with a closing date of March 31, 2025. More information can be found on the DOD SBIR website.
DOD STTR 24.D Annual - Optical-Atomic System Integration & Calibration (OASIC)
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Optical-Atomic System Integration & Calibration (OASIC)" as part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The objective is to create a user facility for an atom-based quantum testbed that can prototype, validate, and benchmark nanophotonic, optoelectronic, and electronic components and sub-systems. The goal is to enable the development of scalable, low-SWaP atom-based quantum sensors, clocks, computing architectures, and other integrated or chip-scale quantum technologies. The solicitation emphasizes the need for rigorous testing and evaluation procedures compatible with the performance requirements of atom-based quantum devices. The Phase I of the project will focus on designing and analyzing the performance and operation of the proposed testbed user facility, as well as developing an operation and business plan. The Phase II will involve constructing and demonstrating the quantum testbed based on the Phase I design. The project duration for Phase I is 4 months, and for Phase II is 24 months. The solicitation encourages the development of integrated, low-SWaP quantum systems for applications in defense and commercial markets. The deadline for proposal submission is March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [solicitation link](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2506137).
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Multilayer Waveguide Optical Gyroscope
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development of a high-end tactical miniature optical waveguide gyroscope for future U.S. Army missions. The current inertial navigation systems used by the Army are large and expensive, and smaller alternatives such as Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEMS)-based sensors do not meet the Army's requirements for cost, accuracy, stability, and survivability. The goal is to develop a low-cost and lightweight 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with high-tactical performance. The desired performance includes a gyro bias stability of 0.2 degrees/hour, scale factor error less than 50 ppm, and angular random walk less than 0.05 degree/root-hour. The gyroscope should also have a high bandwidth, high dynamic range, and low sensitivity to extreme shock and vibration environments. The solicitation focuses on the feasibility of new optical waveguide gyroscope technologies, such as the integrated Silicon waveguide Optical Gyroscope (iSOG). The Phase I of the project involves proving the feasibility of a multi-level waveguide optical sensor coil, while Phase II focuses on designing and delivering a prototype waveguide optical gyroscope. The final phase aims to develop an Inertial Sensor Assembly (ISA) consisting of three gyros and three accelerometers. The technology has potential applications in commercial IMUs and military autonomous modular payloads. The project is open for proposals until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [solicitation link](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2651325).