N161-068 TITLE: Low Probability of Detection Acoustic Communication

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Electronics, Ground/Sea Vehicles

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Forward Deployed Energy and Communication Outposts (FDECO) INP

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the solicitation. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an acoustic modem system employing stealthy techniques for sending information through ocean acoustic channels at modest to moderate bit rates (100s of bits per second) over ranges of 1 to 10 km.

DESCRIPTION: The application of Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUVs) to a wide variety of scientific and military tasks is currently a common practice, but communication to and between the UUVs typically relies currently on commercial modems that employ fairly high source levels and readily recognizable frequency and phase shift coding systems. Conceptual applications of UUV systems include missions where the probability of success for the concept relies on the assumption of a stealthy posture. Communication modes that are difficult to detect will support requirements for such UUV systems. Two potential basic approaches (note that small business effort is not limited to these approaches) to this problem are: 1) to attempt to remain undetected through reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) signals, or 2) to camouflage the communications such they will not be identified or associated with the system that is employing them.

PHASE I: Develop initial concept design for an acoustic modem system and perform an analysis of the expected performance of the modem including the details of the carrier, modulation, and information coding strategy that will support bit rates in excess of 100 bps over ranges from 1 to 10 km. Feasibility for the acoustic modem system may be determined through analysis which should include a Low Probability of Detection and Low Probability of Intercept (LPD/LPI) performance characterization with estimates of detection probability as a function of range and other considerations.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype acoustic modem system and demonstrate capacity and other performance metrics using actual transmissions of acoustic data. Analysis should include both communication capacity and LPD/LPI performance characterization as a function of range and other considerations. Develop a production design, including size, weight, power, and costs estimates, as well as complete system performance predictions and evaluations to include capacity estimates under a variety of environmental conditions and ranges. SECRET clearance may be required for Phase II.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Develop and deliver a functioning point to point communication system for use on the ONR Forward Deployed Energy and Communication Outposts. Verify predicted performance metrics for signal acquisition, synchronization, and bit error rate, as well as detection probability as a function of range. SECRET clearance may be required for Phase III. LPD performance is unlikely to be a priority for users of UUVs in marine construction and oil/gas production, but higher SNR variants of the modems and coding schemes might provide notably robust performance in challenging environments.

REFERENCES:

1. D. B. Kilfoyle and A. B. Baggeroer, "The state of the art in underwater acoustic telemetry," IEEE J. Oceanic Eng., vol. 25, pp. 4-27, 2000.

2. M. Stojanovic, Josko A. Catipovic, and John G. Proakis, "Phase-coherent digital communications for underwater acoustic channels," IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering, vol. 19, pp. 100-111, 1994.

3. J. Ling, H. He, J. Li, W. Roberts, and P. Stoica, "Covert underwater acoustic communications," J Acoust Soc Am. 2010 Nov;128(5):2898-909.

KEYWORDS: Acoustic communication, modem, underwater networks, UUV, Low Probability of Intercept, Submarine Communication

TPOC-1: Robert Headrick

Email: [email protected]

TPOC-2: Kyle Becker

Email: [email protected]

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