At Last a Means to Use Auditory Research to Save Lives
Acoustic Remote Threat Detection is a research program to explore use of acoustic information to enhance the identification of threats remotely and enhance the human response to the threat. Currently the security forces are fielding the Tactical Automated Security System (TASS), which includes only microwave, infrared, magnetic, seismic, and breakwire sensors. There are no acoustic sensors or automatic localization, classification, and capability to statistically discern events included as part of the existing system. The proposed ARTD system implementation will focus on human-machine interaction to process information from acoustical sensors to evaluate threats. The system implementation will consist of a three tiered approach: limited telepresence, information management and distribution, and threat assessment. The limited telepresence concept will include a microphone array for localization, directional processing, and threat screening that provides initial signal filtering to reduce operator workload. Three-dimensional audio is the key to localization of sounds that provide directional information to video sensors and reducing sensor monitoring by the operator. The information management and distribution concept aids in the detection of the potential threat and subsequent verification and action. It enhances the information needed for the operator, who will be outfitted with a 3D audio communications system for improved situational awareness. The threat assessment system uses artificial intelligence algorithms to evaluate the severity and importance of the detected noise. Visual scaling of the estimated lethality of the threat assists the operator in prioritizing his actions A high fidelity two-way communication link to a central command post and/or distributed users.
Dr. Daryl Hammond
AFRL/HECB