• Dec 2002: Army awards IAI Phase 1 contract to research TM-UWB radar for detection and identification of very high-speed hit-to-kill smart threats
• Nov 2002: IAI to perform “Validation of Toolmark Individuality, and Relationship to Manufacturing Processes Using 3D Images of Toolmarks.”
• Nov 2002: IAI sub-contracted to aid manufacture of electronic enclosures for the SENTRI system.
• Oct 2002: IAI to develop a low-power secure wireless network for information warfare sensors.
• Oct 2002: NASA selects IAI to develop a wireless data acquisition system for rocket engine testing.
• Oct 2002: DOED awards IAI Phase 2 contract to research the potential for TalkTiles™ to build phonemic awareness in preliterate and language-delayed children.
• Sept 2002: University of Central Florida hires IAI to develop the FINDER system to locate firefighters inside buildings.
• Sept 2002: IAI beats competition to develop courseware development advisor.
• Sept 2002: IAI to further research on automated student knowledge evaluation.
• Sept 2002: ONR awards Phase I STTR to IAI to develop Ultra Wide Band Sensor Web.
• Sept 2002: IAI to research vessel launch mechanism for high seas.
• July 2002: IAI released a new version of OpenCybele.
• June 2002: Air Force Research Lab awards IAI contract to develop algorithms to enhance targeting in adverse weather and hostile environments.
• June 2002: National Institute of Justice awards IAI contract to perform statistical validation of the individuality of guns.
• June 2002 IAI to build electronic enclosures for the Secure Electronic Network for Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) system.
• May 2002: IAI sub-contracted to participate in the design and development of a FACET-based System Wide Evaluation and Planning Tool (FACET/SWEPT).
• May 2002: US Air Force Research Lab awards contract to develop a Target Identification Radar System.
• Apr 2002: IAI awarded Phase II contract for "Integration of Decision Support Tools for Nonconflicting End-to End Flight Scheduling".
• Apr 2002: IAI phone and fax numbers changed.
• Feb 2002: IAI win Phase II contract from Army CECOM to develop ad-hoc survivable networks
• Feb 2002: IAI sub-contracted to develop UWB communication for Unmanned Ground Vehicles
• Feb 2002: NASA awards contract for UWB Phased Array Radar and Synthetic Aperture Radar
• Feb 2002: IAI contracted by Westat to code data for GEAR UP and Add Health curriculum studies
• Feb 2002: IAI contracted to analyze laser interferometer data for fire prevention.
• Jan 2002: Dr Leonard Haynes to give plenary presenation to SPIE Smart Structures and Materials conference in San Diego, March 2002.
• Jan 2002: DoT awards contract for Aircraft Wiring Integrity Verification using Pseudo-random Binary Sequence
• Jan 2002: Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division contracts IAI to build Courseware Developer’s Workbench.
Dec 2002: IAI to develop Surface Acoustic Wave technology for non-contact measurement.
IAI has been awarded contract entitled, “Wireless Zero Power Torque Sensing Using SAW-IDT” from U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, effective December 16, 2002. Under this contract, IAI will evaluate a wireless and passive implementation of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology for non-contact measurements of torque on a composite drive shaft of the Comanche RH-66 helicopter. The measurements are non-contact, and require no local power. For more information, contact Dr. Eric van Doorn (evandoorn@i-a-i.com)
Dec 2002: Army awards IAI Phase 1 contract to research TM-UWB radar for detection and identification of very high-speed hit-to-kill smart threats
The Army has awarded IAI a Phase 1 SBIR contract to investigate use of Time-Modulated Ultra-Wideband (TM-UWB) Doppler Radar for threat detection in active hit avoidance systems. In this effort, IAI will investigate the feasibility of a TM-UWB technology-based solution to the hit avoidance, threat detection and localization problems.
As smart anti-tank weapons become more lethal, active protection and hit avoidance systems become increasingly important. These systems must detect targets with very small cross-sections, have large operation ranges, and near zero false alarm, thus making threat detection very complicated problem with no known solution. Most missile warning systems employ passive radars because conventional active radars emit continuous RF waves, which expose the vehicle to the enemy. Passive radars are less sensitive than active radars. Therefore, the optimum tradeoff must be struck between radar sensitivity and low-probability-of-detection (LPD). The fundamental advantage of TM-UWB radar is that single pulses are generated and detected rather than long series of cycles, thus extremely low probability-of-detection and high sensitivity are achievable. TM-UWB has many other advantages including size, cost, power, ability to perform electronic beam forming and beam steering.
IAI has already demonstrated a time domain analog of the Doppler shift effect using TM-UWB. If the target is moving, the time spacing between the pulses will be shifted by the time it takes for the signal to travel twice the distance (there and back) that the target has moved from one pulse to the next. This shift can be used to separate moving from stationary targets. TM-UWB hardware is capable of measuring pulse timing as accurate as 3 pico-seconds. Therefore, with TM-UWB Doppler radar, it should be possible to detect high-speed threats within the range of interest.
Nov 2002: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) awards contract to IAI to perform a statistical “Validation of Toolmark Individuality, and Relationship to Manufacturing Processes Using 3D Images of Toolmarks.”
The development of DNA identification techniques, and the level of accuracy achievable in the estimation of error rates associated with DNA identification has raised the expectations of the quantitative precision that may be achieved in forensic analysis. Furthermore, recent Supreme Court decisions such as Daubert and Kumho are making it increasingly necessary to further formalize scientific evidence presented in court.
The ability to validate that a particular tool was used to create a particular toolmark found in a crime scene is of significant importance for the presentation of evidence in court. Such association hinges on the premise that the microscopic marks found on the tool’s working surface (and transferred to the toolmark) are sufficiently unique to enable a one-to-one association between the tool and the toolmark. One of the main factors determining the extent to which such association is possible is the process used to manufacture the tool’s working surface. The objective of the proposed study is to validate the degree to which a one-to-one identification of the tool and the toolmark is possible for tools for which the working surface is manufactured by certain methods of interest.
IAI sub-contracted by Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) to assist in a second manufacturing round of electronic enclosures for the Secure Electronic Network for Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) system.
As part of ongoing efforts to increase the safety of US borders, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the U. S. Customs Service (USCS) have adopted a closely coordinated strategy for optimal utilization of their resources. Part of this strategy includes the SENTRI system. SENTRI is the world's first automated dedicated commuter lane adapted to meet the stringent law enforcement needs at the border, while at the same time providing a more efficient means of traffic management, thereby reducing congestion. The SENTRI system is being developed by CSC. Intelligent Automation Inc. has been sub-contracted by CSC to manufacture electronic enclosures that comprise SENTRI.
IAI to develop a low-power secure wireless network for information warfare sensors.
US Navy Space and Naval Warfare System Command (SPAWA) have awarded IAI a SBIR Phase 2 contract to develop a low-cost, low-power wireless network for information sensors. The objective of this project is to design a highly secure network for sensor-to-sensor and sensor-to-relay communications. Sensors generally operate autonomously for long periods of time, so low power consumption is very important. IAI plans to address these constraints by using innovative Time Modulated Ultra-Wideband (TM-UWB) technology.
With TM-UWB, radio communication is by impulses, not radio waves. Because pulses are transmitted, there is no carrier frequency, no up/down conversion, and only one transistor is required for the output stage. These features result in decreased power consumption, radio size, and complexity. Impulses in the time domain generate very wide bandwidth signals in the frequency domain, so TM-UWB is inherently LPI (low-probability-to-interfere) and LPD (low-probability-to-detect). Therefore, TM-UWB supports more non-interfering channels than traditional wireless technologies. These advantages make it a highly attractive platform for implementation of an information warfare sensor network.
NASA selects IAI to develop a wireless data acquisition system for rocket engine testing.
NASA John C. Stennis Space Center has awarded IAI a SBIR Phase 2 contract to develop a low-cost and low-power wireless data acquisition system for rocket engine test facilities. John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) is NASA's primary center for testing and flight-certifying rocket propulsion systems for the Space Shuttle and future generations of space vehicles. Currently, hundreds of sensors need to be mounted on the test stand and connected with very long wires to the signal conditioning station, and then to the data conversion station. Because each test scenario is different, it takes a lot of time and money to wire up these sensors. Furthermore, the analog signal traveling through the long cable is likely to be contaminated by noise.
In this effort, IAI will design a data acquisition and communication system to digitize the sensor signal and transmit the data to the control station wirelessly. Digitization ensures that noise is reduced to a minimum.
The wireless communication part will be based on a Time Modulated Ultra-Wideband (TM-UWB) transceiver. With TM-UWB, communication uses impulses instead of radio waves. Because only pulses are transmitted, there is no carrier frequency and hence no up or down conversions are required. The output stage is a single transistor, resulting in decreased radio size and complexity. Impulses in the time domain generate very wide bandwidth signals in the frequency domain. TM-UWB allows us to transmit on more non-interfering channels than traditional wireless technologies. We believe that TM-UWB wireless sensor communication technology has the potential to overcome the problems being experienced with Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, and 3G.
DOED awards IAI Phase 2 contract to research the potential for TalkTiles™ to build phonemic awareness in preliterate and language-delayed children.
The Department of Education has awarded IAI a Phase 2 SBIR contract to further research the potential of TalkTiles™, our multisensory language development tool, in fostering phonemic awareness among preliterate children and children with lauguage delay. Under this contract, IAI will conduct studies to measure learning gains among autistic children using our Phase 1 prototype. In addition, we will build several enhanced prototypes and investigate their effectiveness with children in preschools.
University of Central Florida hires IAI to develop the FINDER system to locate firefighters inside buildings.
University of Central Florida has awarded IAI a contract to develop a portable system for locating firefighters inside buildings. Many firefighters have lost their lives because their colleagues could not find them when they were needed help. Our system, FINDER, will transmit a beacon signal when the firefighter needs help or becomes unconscious. Other firefighters’ FINDERs will use this signal to guide them to the injured crew member. The prototype FINDER will consist of two parts: a handheld or wearable user interface module, and a radio transceiver that can be carried in a backpack. Future versions of FINDER will integrate these two parts in one chassis. See more details.
IAI beats competition to develop courseware development advisor.
IAI have beaten three competing bids to develop the Courseware Developer’s Workbench (CDW). CDW is a Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) system that assists courseware developers in the process of creating Web-based training materials that are interesting and motivating. This tool provides expert advice to the designer, in the form of strategies derived from the results of research on instructional methods and practices and the advice of successful, expert instructors.
A Phase II contract was awarded by the Naval Air Warfare Center for Training Systems Division (NAWC-TSD) in September 2002. This award follows a highly successful Phase I effort that culminated in the production of a functional prototype. This received praise from many leading CBR/ AI researchers when it was presented at the European Conference on Case Based Reasoning (September 2002). In Phase II, we plan to build a fully functional version of the system.
IAI to further research on automated student knowledge evaluation.
IAI have been awarded a Phase II contract to continue developing methods to assess trainee knowledge using HiWISE (High-dimensional Word Information Semantic Evaluation), our in-house statistical Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithm. This contract follows a Phase I effort, the Team Readiness Assessment Program (TRAP), and will concentrate on analysis of open-ended text assessment items. To achieve this, HiWISE compares student’s natural language submissions (e.g. short text answers, essays) to stored exemplars, and evaluates their semantic overlap. Additionally, we will research using HiWISE to automatically create training materials from print documents such as tactical memos. Both of these capabilities will be developed within the context of the TRIAD program. This research will take place over a two-year period.
ONR awards Phase I STTR to IAI to develop Ultra Wide Band Sensor Web.
On July 1st, 2002, the Office of Naval Research awarded IAI a Phase I STTR contract to develop an Ultra Wide Band based sensor web. The sensor web consists of UWB radios, which are used for both intruder and motion detection, as well as collective, coherent communications to friendly forces, and guidance of those forces with respect. The work will cover experimental validation of the concepts, and supporting simulations will be performed by Dr. Schiavone at the Institute of Simulation and Training at University of Central Florida (UCF). Initial testing in forested environments indicates excellent sensitivity, even if radios are over three hundred feet apart.
IAI IAI to research vessel launch mechanism for high seas
IAI was awarded a Phase I SBIR contract from the Naval Underwater Warfare Center to develop a concept for a mechanism to launch and recover a rigid hull inflatable boat from a larger vessel in high sea states. The concept is based on a ship maintenance system, the "Flying Carpet" (FC), being prototyped at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. FC is a work platform suspended by powered cables from the side of a dry dock to permit rapid placement of personnel and loads at the bow, stern, or sides of a ship. The FC concept applied to offboard vehicle launch offers several unique advantages, including complete six-degree-of-freedom control of the vehicle and the ability to actively control the stiffness of the vehicle carrier when contacting the vehicle. The FC also ensures stability against wind gusts and high sea states. In Phase I IAI will produce a realistic dynamic simulation of the device in operational launch and recovery retrofitted to an existing ship.
IAI released a new version of OpenCybele (v1.2) with new features, performance enhancements, and bug fixes.
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New Features:
- Introduction of discrete clock for discrete event distributed agent- based simulation.
- Introduction of GSIs in thread management and timer event services
and their implementation.
Enhancements: - Improved sorting in event management service implementation
- Improved error reporting for exception and warnings.
- Fully implemented P2P communication APIs.
Fixes: - Fixed Memory leakage
- Related to clean up of agent, when an agent dies
- Related to serialization
- Fixed synchronicity related to agent.die()
- Clocks can now be created from non-agent threads
US Air Force Research Lab awards a SBIR Phase I contract to IAI to develop new algorithms and software to enhance air-to-ground accuracy in adverse weather conditions and hostile environments.
In Phase I of this effort, IAI will study an innovative sensor algorithm that allows the current GPS/INS navigation system of air-to-ground smart weapons to precisely target ground fixed or mobile high value targets in day/night, adverse weather, and hostile environments. The proposed sensor algorithm will exploit what is often called Impulse Radar or Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Radar. UWB time domain signals are characterized by an impulse waveform with a width from 100 picoseconds to several nanoseconds. The UWB technology is based on the availability of very low-cost ultra-high precision delays. Using these delay circuits, UWB Radar systems can be built which have no carrier frequency. The only signals transmitted are single impulses over a very wide bandwidth, generated by a single transistor. The wide bandwidth and short pulse length of UWB signals provide high resolution, low power, superb LPD/LPI capabilities for UWB radars. In addition, it allows for simpler implementation of electronically steerable phased arrays or synthetic aperture radar. IAI will collaborate with Time Domain Corporation (TDC), which holds many patents of the core UWB technology. TDC has successfully implemented the core of UWB radar in a low-cost chip set called PulseON. This chip set makes miniaturized UWB radar system implementation feasible.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) awards contract to IAI to perform a statistical validation of the individuality of guns.
Because of the development of DNA matching techniques and the way such evidence is presented in court, and because of the Daubert Decision handed by the Supreme Court in 1993, it is becoming increasingly necessary to standardize and formalize the procedures followed by all forensic examiners. Thanks to the support of the National Institute of Justice and The National Science Foundation, Intelligent Automation, Inc. has developed SCICLOPS™, an automated ballistics identification system. SCICLOPS™ makes use of remarkably accurate depth measurements of a bullet’s surface to create a three dimensional (3D) profile suitable for identification. The purpose of this project is to make use of the 3D profiles of bullets to develop and validate objective procedures for weapon identification, including the estimation of the probability-of-error associated with the identification process.
IAI sub-contracted by Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) to assist in the manufacture of electronic enclosures for the Secure Electronic Network for Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) system.
As part of ongoing efforts to increase the safety of US borders, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the U. S. Customs Service (USCS) have adopted a closely coordinated strategy for optimal utilization of their resources. Part of this strategy includes the SENTRI system. SENTRI is the world's first automated dedicated commuter lane adapted to meet the stringent law enforcement needs at the border, while at the same time providing a more efficient means of traffic management, thereby reducing congestion. The SENTRI system is being developed by CSC. Intelligent Automation Inc. has been sub-contracted by CSC to manufacture electronic enclosures that comprise SENTRI.
IAI sub-contracted to participate in the design and development of a FACET-based System Wide Evaluation and Planning Tool (FACET/SWEPT).
The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center is working with National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Advanced Air Transportation Technologies (AATT) Program at the Ames Research Center (ARC) in San Jose, California. Further Details
US Air Force Research Lab awards contract to develop a Target Identification Radar System.
The focus of the work will be to exploit what is often called Impulse Radar or Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Radar to provide a capability to detect, identify, and locate ground targets. Our goal for this new contract is to investigate new and innovative approaches for time domain conformal receiver antenna concepts for small airborne platforms that can be field tested in 2 years. Further Details
IAI awarded Phase II contract for "Integration of Decision Support Tools for Nonconflicting End-to End Flight Scheduling.
IAI has been awarded a SBIR phase to to develop new technology and software for Integration of Decision Support Tools for Nonconflicting End-to End Flight Scheduling. Further Details
IAI phone and fax numbers have changed.
IAI's phone and fax numbers changed on 4/9/02. The new switchboard number is +1 (301) 294 5200, fax +1 (301) 294 5201. Direct dial numbers have changed to (301) 294 52xx (where xx are the last 2 digits of the old number). Please change your address books. Thank you.
IAI win Phase II contract from Army CECOM to develop ad-hoc survivable networks.
The survivable networks project is designed for networks that are inherently wireless and mobile, and therefore nodes are continually moving out of the range of some nodes, and into the range of others.
IAI has recently signed a subcontract with Time Domain Corp. (TDC), Huntsville, AL, to apply IAI's expertise in network communication and simulation to study performance of UWB networks. The project, funded under a Navy phase I SBIR contract, involves unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) reconnaissance of tightly restricted enclosures, such as tunnels, caves, sewers, or buildings.
NASA awards contract for UWB Phased Array Radar and Synthetic Aperture Radar.
NASA has awarded a SBIR Phase II contract to IAI to develop Ultra-Wideband Phased Array Radar and Synthetic Aperture Radar. IAI will continue to develop our work on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) electronically steerable arrays (ESA) and Side Looking Synthetic Aperture Arrays (SLSAR). Further details.
IAI contracted by Westat to code data for Gear Up and Add Health curriculum studies.
The National Evaluation of the Gaining Early Awarness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) analyzes the course-taking patterns of youth in grades 7th and 8th. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health & Academic Achievement Study (Add Health) is a school-based survey of health-related behaviors of adolescents in grades 7th - 12th. Further info on GEAR UP and Add Health.
IAI awared NASA Phase I for Pre-fire prevention in aerial vehicle
IAI has recently signed a subcontract with Epoch Engineering, Inc (EEI) to apply IAI's expertize in signal processing to fire prevention using a laser interferometer. The project, funded under a NASA phase I SBIR contract, involves fire detection in aerial vehicles. Further details
Dr Leonard Haynes to give plenary presentation at Smart Structures and Materials conference
Dr Leonard Haynes, President and Founder of IAI, is to give the plenary presentation at the Smart Structures and Materials conference of the International Society of Optical Engineering (SPIE) in San Diego March 17-21 2002. (Presentation Monday 18 March, 8:00 am.) The Smart Structures and Materials Symposium considers new ideas, technologies and potential applications across a wide range of disciplines critical for the long-term success of the Optical Engineering field. Dr. Haynes' presentation will summarize work done by his company and several other collaborating organizations in the development of an active chatter control system for an advanced milling machine. Rather than focusing only on the technical details of that project, Dr. Haynes will describe that project as an example of the founding and growth of a small business, from an initial idea, to a team of major companies collaborating on a project, to a technical result with great commercial potential.
Aircraft Wiring Integrity Verification using Pseudo-random Binary Sequence
IAI has been awarded a SBIR Phase I award by the Department of Transportation to evaluate an innovative procedure to inspect aging aircraft wiring. Our approach is to inject a special type of low level probe signal into the cable to be tested. The system response to this special input can be used to give the complete transfer function of the cable. Our hypothesis is that incipient failures in the cable will be detectable as subtle changes in that transfer function, including discontinuities which cause signal reflections and hence standing waves. Even very low probe signals can be used, and the test can be done on-line while the circuit is doing its normal function. The required electronics can be fabricated into a single chip which would be built into the system or even built into the connector. In this mode, the probe signal and test would be executing continuously. Alternatively, the approach can be used offline. Since very low level probe signals can be used, in many cases these signals can be induced into the cable without disconnecting the cable. To pick up the probe signal at the end of the cable, the cable would still need to be disconnected and plugged into a test box, or a special cable adaptor could be installed once, and then testing could be done without disconnecting the cable at either end.
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division contracts IAI to build Courseware Developer’s Workbench.
For this Phase 1 SBIR initiative, IAI will build upon our previous intelligent advisor work with NAWCTSD. This expert system will assist courseware developers in the process of creating Web-based training material that is interesting and motivating.