Investigating the waveform foundation of the Havana syndrome

Logan Boehm; Ruksana Kabealo; Isabela Perdomo; Nate Hagen; Anthony O. Smith

doi:10.1117/12.3013543

7 June 2024 Investigating the waveform foundation of the Havana syndrome

Logan Boehm, Ruksana Kabealo, Isabela Perdomo, Nate Hagen, Anthony O. Smith

Proceedings Volume 13057, Signal Processing, Sensor/Information Fusion, and Target Recognition XXXIII; 130570Y (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3013543
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2024, National Harbor, Maryland, United States

Conference Poster

Abstract

The Havana Syndrome, named after its initial detection in Havana, Cuba, in 2016, has been a subject of numerous studies and debates in the scientific community. The mysterious condition manifests with various symptoms, ranging from auditory disturbances to neurological deficits. This study aimed to collate and analyze data from reported cases of the Havana Syndrome and the existing literature to see if a possible mechanism for the Havana Syndrome could be found. Our research analyzes how two modulated ultrasound phased array beams could explain the recorded waveform, as well as the experiences of the victims. This is shown through simulations of the beam propagation pattern and the sound produced at the target, which show remarkably similar characteristics to those observed in eyewitness reports. We then show experiments using small ultrasound phased arrays, comparing those results to the simulations and recordings from the affected individuals. We conclude that a scenario involving two directed ultrasound beams could potentially link external interference to the onset of the Havana Syndrome. While our findings suggest this plausible connection, establishing whether such interference is borne from malicious intent or is incidental remains beyond the scope of this work.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Logan Boehm, Ruksana Kabealo, Isabela Perdomo, Nate Hagen, and Anthony O. Smith "Investigating the waveform foundation of the Havana syndrome", Proc. SPIE 13057, Signal Processing, Sensor/Information Fusion, and Target Recognition XXXIII, 130570Y (7 June 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3013543

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