Phoenix40-A Photo: TiaLinx
TiaLinx Inc. has announced the launch of the Phoenix40-A – a mini-UAS capable of performing dual functions as a motion detector as well as probing for breathing of a hiding person in a compound. The mini-UAS can be remotely controlled at long standoff distances from ground or an airborne asset.
The lightweight and agile mini-UAS with programmability to fly to or land at multiple waypoints has been integrated with TiaLinx’s fine beam ultra-wideband (UWB), multi-Gigahertz radio frequency (RF) sensor array. The system provides long standoff surveillance of a premise to track movement as well as to detect motionless live objects. TiaLinx’s real-time UWB RF Imaging development was sponsored by a SBIR Phase II from the Army’s PEO AMMO, PM-CCS.
Through a software-controlled interface which is integrated into a laptop or joystick controller unit, Phoenix40-A can be remotely guided from long distances to perform mission critical tasks. In addition to the programmed GPS guided multi-waypoint visits, the integrated video cameras allow for day and night landing and monitoring of a premise under surveillance for enhanced situational awareness. Capability to probe a compound at standoff keeps the operator and the Phoenix40-A out of harm’s way.
The RF Scanner is mounted on a lightweight mini-UAV and transmits wideband signals that are highly directional and can penetrate reinforced concrete wall at an extended range. In the receiver, a signal detector circuit is employed to capture the reflections from targets. Amplitude and delay information are then processed in an integrated signal processor.
“Phoenix40-A’s introduction is intended to provide another breakthrough in miniaturization of advanced life detection sensors that provide the capability to sense-through-the-wall (STTW) remotely. Like its sister product Cougar20-H that was launched last month, Phoenix40-A can also be remotely programmed to survey a compound at multiple way points. It can scan a multi-story building and provide its layout. It is also capable of scanning in-road and off-road horizontally to detect buried unexploded ordnance (UXO),” commented Dr. Fred Mohamadi, Founder and CEO of TiaLinx. “TiaLinx is constantly miniaturizing and upscaling its UWB RF imaging core competence to enable standoff sensing of a premise for enhanced situational awareness, to assist rescue operations in hard-to-reach terrains such as collapsed buildings after an earthquake, and to eradicate land mines to save lives.”
About TiaLinx, Inc.
TiaLinx, Inc. is a privately held company that develops advanced electronic modules with very small form factor, highly integrated functionality and advanced performance for wide range of military and commercial applications. Utilizing its 40 granted patents and many more pending patent applications, specifically related to the on-chip and wafer-scale beamforming and phased arrays, and high-power miniaturized V-band power amplifiers and transmitters, the Company is uniquely positioned to supply robust RF Imaging devices economically by enabling revolutionary advancements in semiconductor and sub-system designs. Since 2006, TiaLinx has received 7 Phase II and CPP awards from various government agencies.
TiaLinx was ranked as one of the top 3 companies performing advanced research projects sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) during the DARPATech 2005. The Company was selected as recipient of U.S. Army’s Commercial Pilot Program award in 2009. Twenty-five companies were selected out of the 487 recipients of the phase II awards. Within the top twenty-five companies selected, TiaLinx was the only recipient with the advanced radio frequency imaging technology for sense-through-the-wall applications.
TiaLinx was also the recipient of the 2010 Defense News Technology and Innovation Award for its Eagle5-P product selected by a panel of experts who recognized recent advances in defense technologies by U.S. companies and defense agencies. In all, the panel considered more than 80 nominations of products that came to market last year. On December 2010, VME and Critical Systems recognized the high-power V-band transmitter and receiver of TiaLinx as Editor’s Product of Choice.