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High Fidelity, Low Power Omnidirectional Hydrophone

Award Information
Agency: Department of Commerce
Branch: N/A
Contract: WC133R-08-CN-0141
Agency Tracking Number: 08-48
Amount: $94,996.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 8.1.3
Solicitation Number: NOAA-2008-1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2008
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
2520 W. 237th Street
Torrance, CA 90505
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Indu Saxena
 Senior Scientist & Group Leader
 (424) 263-6346
 sbirproposals@intopsys.com
Business Contact
 Lothar Kempen
Title: Vice President, R&D
Phone: (424) 263-6362
Email: randdoffice@intopsys.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc. (IOS) proposes to develop a highly reliable, high fidelity, fiber optic hydrophone-based sensor that will consume low power, and offer a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the frequency range desired for monitoring marine acoustics. There is a need to advance the state-of-the-are of low power, portable hydrophones for recording fish spawning calls. Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) mountable hydrophones that reject AUV motor noise are desired. If software to decode the location and size of fish is included to enable automatic source identification, the devices would be extremely useful for fish population monitoring and for understanding the effects of climate and environmental changes.

Underwater monitoring systems are presently prohibitively expensive. There is a long-term reliability issue with them as well, as the electronic acoustic sensor are intrinsically prone to degradation from salt water, as metallic conduits are necessary. These sensors cannot offer long term reliability. In Phase I, IOS will demonstrate the feasibility of developing a cost-effective, battery operated hydrophone offering a SNR > 5.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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