DARPA looks to boost sensor development

DARPA is looking to accelerate sensor-system development time through the use of commercial processes. To that end, last month the agency launched phase 2 of its ADAPTable Sensor System program, with the goal of cutting development times to a year or less from the current three to eight years.

Today, DARPA reports, sensor systems are designed from scratch to to meet specific system needs. As an alternative, DARPA is looking to leverage reference designs that system integrators incorporate into consumer electronics.

The elements of the ADAPT ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) sensor concept divide into three areas: A reusable hardware core, reusable software, and sensor-specific applications.

“The reusable hardware core,” DARPA reports, “aims to leverage low-cost commercial components available at the time of manufacture, enabling it to be refreshed at the rate of commercial technologies.” ADAPT seeks to use ODMs (original design manufacturers) for design and production as opposed to using contract manufacturers.

DARPA's reusable software efforts will addresses sensor management functions such as processing, storage, communications, navigation, and orientation—functions that similar to those employed in smart phones and similar products and which can be developed quickly using open-source software frameworks.

Finally, DARPA notes, ISR sensors currently require production of common hardware and software for each sensor-specific application. In contrast, with the ADAPT program, military missions will define specific sensors, packaging, and power systems depending on mission performance requirements. “Processing, storage, communication, navigation, orientation and sensor management functions will be handled by the reusable core hardware and software,” according to DARPA.

A previous ADAPT initiative reached out to mobile app developers. The response deadline for phase 2 input is November 30.