Boston Micromachines Corporation, a provider of MEMS-based deformable mirror products for adaptive optics systems, has been selected by the United States Army for a Phase 1 Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) award through the Department of Defense. The STTR award of approximately $100,000 will enable Boston Micromachines and its research partner Boston University to begin development of the Secure Communicating Optical Ultra-small Transponder (SCOUT). The technology employed in SCOUT is based on a modulated retro-reflector that employs a design combining a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) deformable mirror to modulate light with a simple optic that returns reflected light to its point of origin.

This new device has the potential to save lives on the battlefield through secure optical communication using an active mirror, enabling the rapid identification of friendly soldiers, vehicles or aircraft. However, applications extend beyond identify friend or foe to include situational awareness, covert communication and reading from remote sensors such as bio-weapon detector and motion trackers.

Slightly larger than a matchbox, this ultralow-power, and long-range transponder will enable ground- and air-based communication from soldier-to-soldier, vehicle-to-soldier, and vehicle-to-vehicle. Also, SCOUT will be an upgrade to current weapons laser systems so the integration of the technology will be seamless. Unlike RF transmitters, SCOUT does not send an omnidirectional signal but instead directs an optical signal along a narrow collimated path, thereby enhancing security and stealth with minimal power consumption. Since all optical energy comes from the source, SCOUT requires no on-board transmission power.