RESEARCH ORDER #1 PHASE I - PROGRESS REPORT #1

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03300A001600020114-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 28, 2011
• Sequence Number: 114
• Publication Date: December 28, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/28 :CIA-RDP78-03300A001600020114-5
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Research Order ~kl 28 December 1953
Phase I - Progress Report ~1
To study and evaluate the factors and components
involved in the design of a portable infrared communicator.
GENERAL DATA:
The work to be performed according to Bid Proposal
X76-1, Phase I may be summarized as follows:
B. Determination of beam width requirements and
evaluation of "find-operate" systems
C. Study of modulation methods and attendant
optical systems
D. Evaluation of power sources
E. Study of required circuit characteristics
The results of these studies will be used as the basis
for recommending a system to be developed.
A. Preliminary considerations of performance and physical characteristics
In order that the efforts of the investigation would be
most efficiently directed, information regarding the approximate
desired performance and physical characteristics was obtained
in discussion with representatives of the agency. Two possible
sizes of equipment were originally considered.
The first unit suggested would have an average clear
weather (ACW) range of b miles and a size of 12" x 1 " x 8"
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Research Order #1 28 Dec 53
Phase I - Progress Report ~ 1
weighing about 18 lbs. with fuel for 9 hours operation.
The second proposed unit would have an ACW range of
10 miles and a size of 18" x 24" x 10" weighing about 42 lbs.
with fuel for 9 hours operation.
The Appendix indicates the basis on which these
proposals were made. It should be understood that these
proposals were used as a starting point and a guide for future
thinking regarding reguired equipment size.
After further discussion with representatives of the
agency, they indicated that the unit with an ACW range of 6 miles
would be preferred because of size and weight considerations.
Other factors are that the unit should be packaged so that it may
be carried in a suitcase; that the power source, if an engine
generator, must be very carefully silenced for maximum aural
security. The unit must be capable of being buried in the ground
for long periods without adverse effects on performance. It is
desirable that the daylight operational range not be markedly less
than the night range. It is necessary that a high degree of visual
security be maintained for both night and day operation.
It is thought that the most useful and realistic study of
various sources and sensitive elements can be made by actual
tests of such elements in a dark room using a vacuum range
optical attenuator to simulate long ranges.
The laboratory's new dark room which has been under
construction for several months is now nearing completion. In
conjunction with this a vacuum range optical attenuator will be
constructed and installed. This unit will be similar to the one
designed and built by
ment under contract
A mechanical chopper will be provided for sine wave
modulating the source under test at any one of a number of
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Research Order #1 28 Dec 53
Phase I - Progress Report ~1
audio frequencies so that the audio response of the sensitive
element under test may be evaluated. Infrared filters suitable
for the items under test will be interposed so that source and
sensitive element can be tested under correct conditions of
spectral radiation and response.
For sources that are capable of electrical modulation,
suitable electrical equipment will be provided to modulate them.
To supplement and check the empirical data obtained
with the above methods, sensitivity calculations will be made
from available published data.
Cesium vapor sources as well as some tungsten-lamps
are presently on hand. Information is being obtained on high
pressure Xenon lamps made by the Hanovia Chemical and Mfg.
Co. Of the sensitive elements to be tested, some thalofide
and lead sulfide cells are on hand, and also an infrared photo-
multiplier with S-1 cathode.
C. Investigation of beam width requirements
Since the transmitter and receiver beam widths in the
"find" and "operate" modes of operation will be important
factors in determining the ease of operation of the equipment
in the field, considerable study is being made of this problem.
In this connection a "find-operate" transceiver beam simulator
is being designed. Parts for this will be fabricated as soon
as detail drawings are ready. This should be within two weeks.
Purchased parts are on order, and delivery is expected by the
first of the year.
The simulators consist of two transceiver units
designed of such a size as to reproduce in the rather limited
space of the laboratory dark tunnel the conditions that may be
expected when two communicators in the field are trying to
locate one another and establish communication.
The receiver portion of the simulator will have
provisions for acceptance angles of about 0. 3?, 0. 6? or 1. 2?.
The transmitter will have a beam continuously adjustable from
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Research Order #1 28 Dec 53
Phase I - Progress Report #1
less than 1? to about 8?. Provision is being made so that the
receiver may be mounted coaxially with the transmitter or to
one side as desired. It is thought that with these simulators
the minimum practical beam widths for the "find" and "operate"
modes can be determined.
As an alternative to increasing the beam width during
"find" by increasing the source power, the possibility of causing
the transmitted beam to scan rapidly through a relatively wide
angle is being considered. Thus,a hand cranked mechanical
scanner might possibly be arranged to cause the narrow beam
to scan in such a way as to duplicate the effect of a wide beam.
D. Study of modulation methods and optics
Although modulation methods are being given some
thought, active study of this problem will be deferred until more
information has been obtained on the relative merits of the various
IR sources and until the required beam characteristics have been
investigated.
The lightweight plastic Freneleps made by the Bolsey
Corporation of America is being considered for possible use in
the optical system. Samples are being obtained. Again, most
of optical study will be dependent on the results of investigation
of sources and sensitive elements and beam requirements.
E. Power source
Much of the thinking regarding power sources has been
in regard to engine generator sets. However, as was brought
out in discussion with the agency representatives, the cost for
development of a suitable unit could be very high. In addition
the problem of achieving the necessary aural security could be
serious.
has been contacted regarding the development of an engine
generator set. They have indicated that a unit operating at
10, 000 rpm and producing about 50 W at 900 c. p. s. could be
made weighing about 3 to 4 lbs. The life would be from 100 to
200 hours. They consider the problem of silencing the unit to
SEC~~`~'
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/28 :CIA-RDP78-03300A001600020114-5
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Research Order ~1 28 Dec 53
Phase I - Progress Report #1
be not too serious. Their estimate of cost for a development
and tooling program is about X30, 000 for generator manufacture
and X55, 000 to X60, 000 for the engine.
Because of the high cost of such a development, the possible
modification of an engine of the model-airplane type with the
necessary changes to give reliable operation, sufficient life,
and adequate silencing is being considered. Technical informa-
tion has been requested from a nurriber of manufacturers of this
type of engine. An attempt will be made to locate a less costly
generator also.
Since the development of a suitable engine-generator set
does present a number of problems, the use of batteries of the
~ardney Silvercel type will be seriously studied. Data regarding
shelf life, discharge, and cycling characteristics will be ~,i
requested from the manufacturer. U~i~
Circuit characteristics will be largely determined by the
source, sensitive element and modulation method. However,
information on components and techniques that may be applicable
to this problem is being obtained.
A study of the optunum speech band pass for maximum
intelligibility will be made. This study will be based on a review
of the technical literature as well as actual confirming tests.
The information thus obtained will be used in setting up circuit
performance specifications to achieve an optimum overall
performance of the transmitter and receiver units.
Final completion of the dark room and tunnel will be
expedited. Construction of the vacuum range optical attenuator and
the "find-operate" simulators should be completed, and the accessory
equipment for use in performing the tests will be constructed. Further
information will be obtained for study of the power source problem.
Report prepared by
Report approved by
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SECRET
Research Order ~1 28 Dec 53
Phase I - Progress Report ~1
The two suggested possible communicator sizes were
based on known performance of previously developed equipment.
The Type W Hand Held Optical Telephone developed during World
War II by the University of California under Contract OEMsr-1073,
Project Control AC-226.03 was used as a starting point for per-
formance calculations.
This unit had a transmitter beam of about 4 x 5 degrees
using a 4-1 /4" diameter mirror. The source was a 100 W tungsten
lamp operating at a color temperature of 3400? K. Mechanical
modulation by means of a vibrating mirror in conjunction with a
grid mirror was used giving a modulation efficiency of 0. 5. A
type A thalofide cell was used in a 4-3/4" diameter mirror of 3"
focal length. The resultant field of view was 10 x 10 degrees. The
estimated ACW night range of this unit was 3 land miles.
The corresponding vacuum range may be calculated
from the relation
R2 -
R z
T
where R1.0 is vacuum range in sea miles, RT is operational range
in sea miles for an atmospheric transmission factor of T per sea mile.
For ACW the transmission is taken as 0. 6 per sea mile. Thus,
z _ ~a x .s64 L = zs. 2
R !? 0 .6 ~3 x .864
or, R1. 0 -" 5.0 sea miles = 10, 000 yards.
SECRET
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Research Order ~1 28 Dec 53
Phase I - Progress Report #~1
Similarly, if an ACW range of 6 land miles is required, the required
vacuum range is about 39, 000 yards; and for an ACW range of 10 miles,
a vacuum range of 158, 000 yards is needed.
For a first approximation in determining the size of
the equipment required for these ranges, it was decided that the
source brightness and modulation efficiency would be considered the
same as the Type W as would the receiver sensitivity. The gain in
range was to be achieved by increasing the area of the mirror for
transmitting and receiving; the same mirror would be used for both
functions.
Since vacuum range is proportional to the square root of
the mirror area of either receiver or transmitter; when the same
mirror is used for both functions, vacuum range is directly propor-
tional to mirror area (assuming identical transceivers, communicating
with one another).
For an ACW range of 6 miles, the new mirror diameter
39,000 x 4.~f~" 9,4 inch.
D ~ io, o00
For an ACW range of 10 miles, the new mirror diameter
~s8.ooo x 4.751 = 18.9 inch.
D -' /o, o00
It was estimated that with the much narrower beam
width contemplated the power requirements for the source could be
so reduced that the overall power requirements would be about 50 to
60 watts for the 6 mile unit and, because of possible larger
modulator and larger source, 80 to 100 watts in the 10 mile unit.
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Research Order ~1
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28 Dec 53
Phase i - Progress Report ~1
The size and weight estimates were as follows:
6 Mile Unit
10 Mile Unit
Optics, electrical components
4 lbs.
12 lbs.
Case
5
12
Engine-generator
4
8
Accessories and miscellaneous
1
2
14 lbs.
34 lbs.
Fuel for 9 hours
4 lbs.
8 lbs.
18 lbs.
42 lbs.
Size
12" x 18" x 8"
18" x 24" x 10"
Since these estimates of range and siz~Q~ e~r~e based
only on improvements resulting from use of single~mit~ror instead
of two and decreased beam width, any other improvements in
receiver sensitivity, etc. , may be expected to result in either
decreased size and weight or increased range.
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