Cybernetic Auditory Telemetry & Echolocation with Anisotropic Reception
Engineering Requirements Draft — v1.0
📑 Document Overview
This document outlines the full set of engineering requirements for the CAT&EAR system, a wearable, cybernetic auditory perception platform. CAT&EAR is a heterogeneous, phased-array auditory sensor suite that uses biomimetic design, ultrasonic telemetry, laser vibrometry, and advanced audio signal processing to enable real-time environmental awareness and communication.
The system is designed to operate autonomously, using only open standards and open-source software, while supporting embedded AI-driven perceptual functions. This document reflects both functional and non-functional requirements for CAT&EAR across all relevant subsystems.
System requirements
🎤 Microphone Array & Acoustic Sensors
Mic Diaphragm Diversity – Use MEMS and larger diaphragm mics.
Earshape Mic Placement – Place mics at parabolic acoustic focus points.
Ultrasound Transceivers – Include US sensors for echolocation and darksight.
Ultrasound Data Comms – Use US transceivers for covert device communication.
Heterogeneous Phased Array – Mic array shall be non-planar and diverse.
Frequency-Profile Diversity – Use mics with different frequency sensitivities.
Anisotropic Reception – Account for directional response patterns from ear shape.
Psychoacoustic Focus – Detect and prioritize perceptually relevant signals.
Mic Cross-Correlation – Synchronize all mic data spatially and temporally.
Real-Time Acoustic Map – Build a 3D sound map from multi-mic input.
Mic Calibration Pattern – Provide physical pattern for mic array calibration.
Open Hardware Calibration – Use only open hardware for calibration tools.
🧭 Ultrasonic Subsystem
Ultrasound Mapping – Perform echolocation for 3D environmental awareness.
True Transceiver Mode – Ultrasound sensors must transmit and receive.
Ultrasound Band Amp – Include amplifier suitable for US transmission.
Covert US Communication – Transmit data in inaudible US band.
Spatial Mapping via US – Derive positional data from ultrasound TOF.
👂 Ear Shape & Actuation
Dynamic Ear Focus – Use moving ear shapes to focus sound.
Servo Actuated Ears – Use servos to reorient ears toward signals.
Double Helical Gears – Use quiet gears for mechanical actuation.
Acoustic Dampened Gears – Coat gears to suppress audible reflections.
Ultrasonic Motors Preferred – Prefer silent ultrasonic motors over gears.
Backwards Reception – Ears must support rearward sound reception.
Flexible Ear Shaping – Shape ear surfaces dynamically for beam control.
Motion-Linked Focus – Ear movement must track beamforming direction.
No Mechanical Noise Leakage – Prevent gear vibration from reaching mics.
📡 Communication & Connectivity
Wi-Fi + BLE Only – Support open wireless; no DECT or proprietary links.
Open Standard Protocols – Use only open protocols for communication.
Multichannel Audio Streaming – Support multiple audio streams over network.
Driverless Operation – Require no proprietary drivers for functionality.
🧠 Software & Signal Processing
Open Source Only – All code and firmware must be fully open source.
Offloaded Processing – All signal processing handled off-device.
Max 20ms Latency – Entire processing pipeline must be under 20ms.
Live Beamforming – Perform real-time signal steering and separation.
Real-Time Source Relevance – Continuously rank sources by importance.
Noise vs Signal Detection – Separate noise from structured signals.
Real-Time Source Switching – Auto-switch auditory focus intelligently.
Plug-and-Play Sensor Config – Support hot-swappable or modular sensors.
Onboard Sub-Vocal Control – Allow silent vocal commands for control.
🎧 Earbuds / Audio Output
Canal Mic Feedback Loop – Use in-ear mics for real-time output correction.
Open Firmware Audio Chain – Use programmable amps with open firmware.
Drive Adaptation by Feedback – Earbud output adjusts based on canal feedback.
🎮 Control Interfaces
Myoelectric Input Support – Accept muscle signals as control input.
Manual Steering Mode – One ear for beam steering via myoelectric input.
Signal Selection Mode – One ear for selecting tracked signal via input.
Sub-Vocal Command Mode – Use throat activity to control high-level tasks.
🔦 Laser Pointer System
Dual Laser Module – Use both red (visible) and IR (covert) lasers.
Laser Aiming Reflects Beam – Beam direction matches acoustic focus.
IR Laser for Stealth – IR laser used to show focus discreetly.
🧾 Transcription & Recognition
Live Audio Transcription – Convert incoming audio to live text.
12 Channel Transcription – Handle at least 12 simultaneous streams.
MP3QR & Digital Decoding – Decode digital audio formats in real time.
Live Text Summarization – Generate summaries from live transcripts.
Voice Signature Tagging – Identify and label speakers in text.
💾 Storage
4TB Local Storage – Minimum onboard capacity of 4 terabytes.
⚖️ Physical & Power
≤150g Head Weight – Total device weight must not exceed 150g (no battery).
1-Min No-Battery Buffer – Must operate 1 minute without battery power.
Dual Battery Swap – Hot-swap batteries without power loss.
🎛️ Audio Encoding & Codecs
HW Audio Codec Support – Hardware encoder/decoder for all ffmpeg codecs.
🧱 System Design Principles
Modular Hardware – All subsystems must be physically modular.
User Privacy by Default – All processing must be local and secure.
No Cloud Dependency – System must function entirely offline.
Mainline Linux Support – Fully supported by Linux kernel and stack.
Open Protocol APIs – All I/O and control must use open APIs.
🛡️ Counter-Acoustic Defense
Passive Threat Detection – Detect and localize hostile audio sources.
Acoustic Counter-Battery – Track and indicate direction of intrusive signals.
🧪 Fallback & Safety
Failsafe Passive Mode – Fall back to passive listening if system fails.
🌡️ Environment & Durability
Passive Cooling Only – No fans; silent passive thermal control only.
Water-Resistant Design – Use hydrophobic materials for exterior protection.
🧰 Maintenance & Testability
Open Test Fixtures – All testing hardware must be reproducible and open.
Self-Test & Calibration – System must run periodic self-alignment checks.
Community Repairable – Designed to be easily maintained by users.
🔗 Licensing
Fully Open Licensed – All hardware, firmware, and software must use open licenses.
🔦 Laser Microphone Capability
Laser Mic via Microprism – Dual laser system shall include a microprism to enable laser microphone functionality.
Aimed Surface Listening – System shall capture audio from vibrating surfaces (e.g. windows, walls) via laser beam reflection.
Covert Through-Wall Listening – IR laser + sensor must support long-range audio pickup from remote surfaces without line-of-sight audio.
✅ Summary
Total Requirements: 76
System Class: Wearable, cybernetic, audio perception platform
Design Goals: Open-source, real-time, stealth-capable, user-repairable
interdimensionalmeme@lemmy.ml 2 days ago
🛰️ Raytheon CAT&EAR System
Cybernetic Auditory Telemetry & Echolocation with Anisotropic Reception
Engineering Requirements Draft — v1.0
📑 Document Overview
This document outlines the full set of engineering requirements for the CAT&EAR system, a wearable, cybernetic auditory perception platform. CAT&EAR is a heterogeneous, phased-array auditory sensor suite that uses biomimetic design, ultrasonic telemetry, laser vibrometry, and advanced audio signal processing to enable real-time environmental awareness and communication.
The system is designed to operate autonomously, using only open standards and open-source software, while supporting embedded AI-driven perceptual functions. This document reflects both functional and non-functional requirements for CAT&EAR across all relevant subsystems.
System requirements
🎤 Microphone Array & Acoustic Sensors
Mic Diaphragm Diversity – Use MEMS and larger diaphragm mics.
Earshape Mic Placement – Place mics at parabolic acoustic focus points.
Ultrasound Transceivers – Include US sensors for echolocation and darksight.
Ultrasound Data Comms – Use US transceivers for covert device communication.
Heterogeneous Phased Array – Mic array shall be non-planar and diverse.
Frequency-Profile Diversity – Use mics with different frequency sensitivities.
Anisotropic Reception – Account for directional response patterns from ear shape.
Psychoacoustic Focus – Detect and prioritize perceptually relevant signals.
Mic Cross-Correlation – Synchronize all mic data spatially and temporally.
Real-Time Acoustic Map – Build a 3D sound map from multi-mic input.
Mic Calibration Pattern – Provide physical pattern for mic array calibration.
Open Hardware Calibration – Use only open hardware for calibration tools.
🧭 Ultrasonic Subsystem
Ultrasound Mapping – Perform echolocation for 3D environmental awareness.
True Transceiver Mode – Ultrasound sensors must transmit and receive.
Ultrasound Band Amp – Include amplifier suitable for US transmission.
Covert US Communication – Transmit data in inaudible US band.
Spatial Mapping via US – Derive positional data from ultrasound TOF.
👂 Ear Shape & Actuation
Dynamic Ear Focus – Use moving ear shapes to focus sound.
Servo Actuated Ears – Use servos to reorient ears toward signals.
Double Helical Gears – Use quiet gears for mechanical actuation.
Acoustic Dampened Gears – Coat gears to suppress audible reflections.
Ultrasonic Motors Preferred – Prefer silent ultrasonic motors over gears.
Backwards Reception – Ears must support rearward sound reception.
Flexible Ear Shaping – Shape ear surfaces dynamically for beam control.
Motion-Linked Focus – Ear movement must track beamforming direction.
No Mechanical Noise Leakage – Prevent gear vibration from reaching mics.
📡 Communication & Connectivity
Wi-Fi + BLE Only – Support open wireless; no DECT or proprietary links.
Open Standard Protocols – Use only open protocols for communication.
Multichannel Audio Streaming – Support multiple audio streams over network.
Driverless Operation – Require no proprietary drivers for functionality.
🧠 Software & Signal Processing
Open Source Only – All code and firmware must be fully open source.
Offloaded Processing – All signal processing handled off-device.
Max 20ms Latency – Entire processing pipeline must be under 20ms.
Live Beamforming – Perform real-time signal steering and separation.
Real-Time Source Relevance – Continuously rank sources by importance.
Noise vs Signal Detection – Separate noise from structured signals.
Real-Time Source Switching – Auto-switch auditory focus intelligently.
Plug-and-Play Sensor Config – Support hot-swappable or modular sensors.
Onboard Sub-Vocal Control – Allow silent vocal commands for control.
🎧 Earbuds / Audio Output
Canal Mic Feedback Loop – Use in-ear mics for real-time output correction.
Open Firmware Audio Chain – Use programmable amps with open firmware.
Drive Adaptation by Feedback – Earbud output adjusts based on canal feedback.
🎮 Control Interfaces
Myoelectric Input Support – Accept muscle signals as control input.
Manual Steering Mode – One ear for beam steering via myoelectric input.
Signal Selection Mode – One ear for selecting tracked signal via input.
Sub-Vocal Command Mode – Use throat activity to control high-level tasks.
🔦 Laser Pointer System
Dual Laser Module – Use both red (visible) and IR (covert) lasers.
Laser Aiming Reflects Beam – Beam direction matches acoustic focus.
IR Laser for Stealth – IR laser used to show focus discreetly.
🧾 Transcription & Recognition
Live Audio Transcription – Convert incoming audio to live text.
12 Channel Transcription – Handle at least 12 simultaneous streams.
MP3QR & Digital Decoding – Decode digital audio formats in real time.
Live Text Summarization – Generate summaries from live transcripts.
Voice Signature Tagging – Identify and label speakers in text.
💾 Storage
4TB Local Storage – Minimum onboard capacity of 4 terabytes.
⚖️ Physical & Power
≤150g Head Weight – Total device weight must not exceed 150g (no battery).
1-Min No-Battery Buffer – Must operate 1 minute without battery power.
Dual Battery Swap – Hot-swap batteries without power loss.
🎛️ Audio Encoding & Codecs
HW Audio Codec Support – Hardware encoder/decoder for all ffmpeg codecs. 🧱 System Design Principles
Modular Hardware – All subsystems must be physically modular.
User Privacy by Default – All processing must be local and secure.
No Cloud Dependency – System must function entirely offline.
Mainline Linux Support – Fully supported by Linux kernel and stack.
Open Protocol APIs – All I/O and control must use open APIs.
🛡️ Counter-Acoustic Defense
Passive Threat Detection – Detect and localize hostile audio sources.
Acoustic Counter-Battery – Track and indicate direction of intrusive signals.
🧪 Fallback & Safety
Failsafe Passive Mode – Fall back to passive listening if system fails.
🌡️ Environment & Durability
Passive Cooling Only – No fans; silent passive thermal control only.
Water-Resistant Design – Use hydrophobic materials for exterior protection.
🧰 Maintenance & Testability
Open Test Fixtures – All testing hardware must be reproducible and open.
Self-Test & Calibration – System must run periodic self-alignment checks.
Community Repairable – Designed to be easily maintained by users.
🔗 Licensing
Fully Open Licensed – All hardware, firmware, and software must use open licenses.
🔦 Laser Microphone Capability
Laser Mic via Microprism – Dual laser system shall include a microprism to enable laser microphone functionality.
Aimed Surface Listening – System shall capture audio from vibrating surfaces (e.g. windows, walls) via laser beam reflection.
Covert Through-Wall Listening – IR laser + sensor must support long-range audio pickup from remote surfaces without line-of-sight audio.
✅ Summary
Total Requirements: 76
System Class: Wearable, cybernetic, audio perception platform
Design Goals: Open-source, real-time, stealth-capable, user-repairable