Using the same technology as bomb or artillery
deployable
mines, the sub-munitions each consist of an ultra-
sensitive
microphone, a
small actuator to orient the mic for maximum sensitvity,
a battery, possibly a
solar cell, and a relatively small radio transmitter.
Either
included with
the package or as a separate drop/launch
is
a pair of larger units with high precision GPS devices,
and
much more powerful transceivers.
During deployment, the submunitions are scattered over
a
large(ish) area, and they wait a while, then send a pulse
in
sequence so the larger units can triangulate them. After
the pulse, they go into listening mode. They transmit
any
sound back to the larger units, which analyze them for
any
human caused noise. Based on timing and localization of
the microphones, the devices should be able to pinpoint
individual noises. This information can then be
transmitted back to headquarters.
This is primarily intended to operate as a rapid
deployment
search and rescue aid during major disasters such as
earthquakes or avalanches that leave a large number of
people trapped below the surface. In these cases, the
mics
would be scattered fairly densely in order to gain the
most
sensitivity.
They might also be viable for sea or land based searches
for lost individuals, although clean-up would be difficult.
In that case, a wider scatter could be used, since the
individuals are typically going to be more able to
respond.
In addition, each mic might have a small audio circuit
that
instructs anyone who can hear it to yell out.
Ideally in almost any SAR application, these would have
to
be deployed before human searchers got into the area,
hence the rapid deployment from fighter or bomber
aircraft, which should be able to reach any disaster area
in
a very short period of time.
Finally, of course, they could have military applications
in
tracking the movement of enemy forces.