In Situ Depolarization, Attenuation, and Scattering Sensor

NASA is seeking a sensor that provides in-situ measurements of ocean particulate backscatter, depolarization, beam attenuation, and diffuse attenuation coefficients relevant for combined ocean-atmosphere active remote sensing. To address this need, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) proposes to advance the development of its In-Situ Depolarization, Attenuation, and Scattering (IDEAS) sensor. IDEAS is submersible to 300 m, is configured for ship-based and in-water deployments, and innovatively incorporates a beam attenuation and depolarization sensing subsystem and a backscattering sensing subsystem in a single unit, along with a depth sensor. The first subsystem innovatively measures the inherent losses and depolarization for linearly and circularly polarized beams as a function of depth. The second subsystem determines the scattering for angles 170 deg with an angular resolution of 1 deg and innovatively calculates the full scattering matrix using polarization-sensitive detectors. IDEAS uses this data to calculate the diffuse attenuation coefficients based on a user-defined light field. IDEAS operates at wavelengths ranging from 355 nm to 1064 nm and is designed for unattended operation. In Phase II, Intellisense will develop a prototype with minimal size, weight, and power consumption that is ocean submersible to 300 m or deeper. It will provide in-situ measurements of ocean particulate backscatter, depolarization, beam attenuation, and diffuse attenuation coefficients relevant for combined ocean-atmosphere active remote sensing at 355, 473, 486, 532, and 1064 nm. The backscattering sensing subsystem will provide measurements from 170 deg to 180 deg scattering angles with an angular resolution of 1 deg. Intellisense will deliver the prototype to NASA, including all necessary hardware and software. NASA is seeking a sensor that provides in-situ measurements of ocean particulate backscatter, depolarization, beam attenuation, and diffuse attenuation coefficients relevant for combined ocean-atmosphere active remote sensing to support its Earth science missions. To address this need, Intellisense Systems, Inc. proposes to continue developing its In-Situ Depolarization, Attenuation, and Scattering (IDEAS) sensor. IDEAS is submersible to >300 m and incorporates a beam attenuation and depolarization sensing subsystem and a backscattering sensing subsystem. The first subsystem measures the inherent losses and depolarization for both linearly and circularly polarized beams. The second subsystem determines the scattering for angles ≥170° with an angular resolution better than 1° and calculates the full scattering matrix. All measurements are used to calculate the diffuse attenuation coefficients. IDEAS operates at wavelengths ranging from 355 nm to 1064 nm. All data is recorded in 100 ms intervals and stored in the onboard memory for later download, allowing for unattended operation.   The Phase II technical objectives are: Objective 1.    Design of in-situ Phase II IDEAS system based on Phase I results, taking into account NASA’s measurement needs and requirements for deployment by manned and unmanned vehicles. Objective 2.    Development of IDEAS hardware and software, focusing on operation at depths of >300 m and minimum size, weight, and power consumption. Objective 3.    Assembly, testing, and demonstration of the IDEAS technology in relevant environments. Objective 4.    Development of a transition path for IDEAS that leads to full-scale production in Phase III and beyond. Deliverables will include an IT Security Management Plan, a New Technology Summary Report, a New Technology Report if technology is developed under the award, and a fully functional prototype unit for NASA testing and evaluation (including hardware, software, and a user manual). Reports will be submitted in accordance with contractual requirements.  

IDEAS directly meets NASA’s needs for quality field instruments that support NASA’s Earth science objectives in current and future research programs such as the PACE, SBG, NAAMES, and EXPORTS missions. IDEAS will enable an accurate determination of the optical signature of aquatic environments and allow for precise determination of biogeochemical parameters such as chlorophyll or particulate organic carbon concentration. This will allow NASA to refine its models of particulate count versus water color as measured by its satellite-based sensors. Non-NASA applications for IDEAS include measuring the concentration of water pollutants such as microplastics for water safety testing and oceanic characterization in support of underwater optical communications systems.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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