The following are the descriptions for two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
proposals on Optical SETI that were submitted in the summer of 1993.
9308-004a
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Title: Signal, Data Processing, Display and Storage for Optical SETI Observatories
Proposal Date: June 9, 1993
Duration: 6 months
Cost: $65,000
Description: This Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is to
review and produce a design for a Windows-based (PC DOS Platform) signal processing system
for use with a photon-counting receiver. The receiver is optimized for the detection of
fast pulsed ETI beacon signals.
A complementary NASA proposal directed at the detection of continuous wave ETI signals
has also been submitted (9308-004b).
Technical Abstract
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) has primarily been conducted in
the radio spectrum. This study addresses the instrumentation, signal and data processing,
display, data reduction and storage for the first Optical (Visible) SETI Observatory in
North America. This observatory, which will have a fast photon-counting receiver for
detecting short laser pulses from extraterrestrial intelligences in other star systems, is
one of only three such facilities on this planet today. The basic observatory system,
i.e., telescope, photon-counter and remote control system, is expected to be complete by
the latter part of 1993. The Windows-based EPOCH 2000™ astronomy program produced by
Farpoint Research will be at the heart of the observatory system for automatically and
remotely controlling the telescope. The project is partially applicable to conventional
optical astronomy facilities and the Remote Telescope Network.
We propose to develop concepts for a Windows-based signal processing and data storage
systems for detecting, analyzing, displaying and storing the signals obtained from the
observatory's high-speed photon-counter. Windows based PC systems, object-oriented
programming and virtual instruments are becoming increasingly important because of the
ease of programming and adaptability, and these will be investigate for this application.
9308-004b
National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
Title: A High-Resolution Computerized Monochromator for Optical SETI Observatories
Proposal Date: July 23, 1993
Duration: 6 months
Cost: $70,000
Description: This Phase I SBIR is to review and produce a design for a Windows-based
(PC DOS Platform) signal processing system for use with a direct-detection optical
receiver. The receiver is optimized for the detection of continuous wave ETI beacon
signals.
A complementary NSF proposal directed at the detection of pulsed ETI signals has also
been submitted (9308-004a).
Technical Abstract
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) has primarily been conducted in
the radio spectrum. This study addresses Optical SETI and the instrumentation of a
scanning monochromator system for detecting continuous wave (cw) beacon signals. This
observatory is the first Visible SETI Observatory in North America, and is one of only
three such facilities on this planet today. The basic prototype observatory system, i.e.,
telescope, photon-counter and computer control center, is presently being set up to detect
fast ETI beacon pulses, and is expected to be largely completed by the end of 1993. The
Windows-based EPOCH 2000 astronomy program will be at the heart of the observatory system
for automatically and remotely controlling the telescope. The spectral transmission
characteristics of the observatory's 25.4-cm (10") Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain
Telescope will be measured over the visible and near-infrared. The basic design of a
prototype observatory for cw beacon and signal detection will be undertaken, and
recommendations made for hardware and software acquisitions. Consideration will be given
to the signal processing, data reduction and data logging requirements of such an
observatory, and its remote operation via modem.