MCAD Milestones

• Commercial JSLSCAD (2005 - present) - When the government decided to recompete the JSLSCAD program, it became Commercial JSLSCAD and the MCAD team was invited to participate.  The MCAD is being extensively tested against several competitors over the next year.
  
  

• MilSpec 810E Testing (2003-2004) – The MCAD was involved in environmental testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground and White Sands, New Mexico.  
  
  

• TIC Testing (2003) – A set of TICs was added to the detection algorithm. TIC detection with the MCAD was successfully demonstrated through government testing.
  
  
• Shootoff with JSLSCAD (2002 - 2003) – The government conducted testing to compare the MCAD with the JSLSCAD. MCAD demonstrated the required detection performance with no false alarms.
  
  
• RestOps (2002-2003) - MCAD was invited to participate in an advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) government program called Restoration of Operations (RestOps). The goal of RestOps is to find technology that will help air bases restore operations after a chemical attack. Two MCADs were built to support this program.
  
  
• MCAD 2^nd Generation (2002) – The MCAD design was simplified by reducing the number of circuit boards and reducing the number of parts. The MCAD sensor size and weight were reduced. A more rugged pan-and-tilt scanner unit was selected.
  
  
• MCAD 1^st Generation (2000) – The first two MCADs were built using the BLOCK Engineering model 90 FTIR, an integrated/automated calibration device, environmental control (heaters/internal fans/external heat sinks) components, an embedded computer, data acquisition/power control circuit boards, and the MESH Chemical Sensing Software (MCSS). The MCAD sensor was mounted on a pan-and-tilt scanner unit. NG developed a user interface and map display program for the user laptop PC. NG also developed an electronic interface box including a GPS and compass to connect the MCAD sensor/scanner assembly with the laptop PC. The GPS and compass are required for the real-time mapping of detection results. The MCAD name and operational concept were developed by CRE.
  
  
• UAV Test (1999) – A prototype MCAD system was mounted inside a UAV and flown at the Nevada Test Site. The UAV-based sensor detected a dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP) release from a 1000 m altitude.
  
  
• MCAD Team Formed (1998) - At the end of 1997, the government awarded the production of JSLSCAD to Intellitec (Deland, FL). Both the hardware and algorithm software were radically changed for the JSLSCAD production units. The MCAD team was formed to commercialize the technology developed by MESH, Inc., BLOCK Engineering, and CRE.  In 1998, Litton Data Systems was a member of the MCAD team (Litton was purchased by Northrop Grumman (NG)).
  
  
• Synthetic Data Program (1997) – To facilitate algorithm testing, a software program to develop synthetic igram data was developed. The program modified real background data to include nerve or blister agent clouds at a desired CL. This is accomplished by converting a real igram of a background scene to a radiometric spectrum. The spectrum is attenuated for the effect of the cloud and the cloud emission is added. The radiometric calibration conversion process is then reversed to convert the modified radiometric spectrum to an igram.
  
  
• Active and Passive FTIR Comparison (1997) – A test was conducted with side by side passive and active FTIR instruments that demonstrated that the same quantitative CL answers could be obtained from both systems. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) was used as a simulant gas for the test. This work was the beginning of automated quantitative data reduction software for passive standoff FTIR, which is an essential part of CCTS.
  
  
• IR&D Improved Detection Algorithm (1997-2000) – The algorithm preprocessing was improved by using a multipoint calibration technique. The pattern recognition was refined.
  
  
• Prototype Automated Calibration Device (1997) – The FTIR spectrometer signal drifts over time due to small changes in optical alignment, self radiance, and/or detector response. The drift can be removed by frequent calibration measurements. This is tedious if done manually so an automated thermoelectric blackbody source was developed.
  
  
• JSLSCAD Milestone II (1996) – Before a new technology can move forward into production, the government requires that proof of concept be demonstrated. The performance of MESH’s on-the-move detection algorithm on the JSLSCAD prototype FTIR hardware demonstrated the feasibility of the technology.
  
  
• Algorithm Preprocessing and Pattern Recognition (1987 - 1996) – MESH served as the primary detection algorithm developer for the U.S. government’s Joint Services Lightweight Standoff Chemical Agent Detector (JSLSCAD) program. During this time, the problem of detection on-the-move (i.e., detection from moving platforms) was solved by developing a single igram based processing technique (i.e., each igram measurement can be evaluated on its own for the presence of chemicals). The technique does not require prior knowledge of the background scene. This was a step forward because other known types of FTIR data processing do require a “clean” background measurement.

WTO Meeting (Seattle 1999)
A prototype MCAD system was mounted on a Seattle Fire Department SUV. The system was used to monitor various locations in Seattle during the World Trade Organization’s meeting.

Salt Lake City Winter Olympics (2002)
An MCAD system was used to monitor selected sites at the Olympics.

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