TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA299 (ASW) H-60 Helicopter Program

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 3.5 of the Announcement. 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: Develop advanced signal processing and coordination techniques to improve Electronic Support Measures (ESM) probability of intercept statistics in the presence of onboard radar transmissions.

DESCRIPTION: One of the challenges in ESM is maintaining high probability of intercept statistics in the presence of other interfering emissions on board (typically occurring between 2 GHz and 18 GHz). Onboard radar systems are particularly problematic. Timeline coordination between the radar and ESM system is one part of the solution space. Coordination may occur by limiting radar transmissions with the ESM sub-band scanning in the radar frequency band or it may involve synchronizing the ESM frequency sub-band to move to multiples of the radar transmit pulse repetition interval. Various forms of digital and active cancellation may supplement synchronization. These may involve learning which radar beam positions / waveforms must be blanked and then generate the signal that enables blanking. For those not blanked, learn and digitally cancel the radar fundamental and harmonics by convolving existing quiescent equalization weights with cancelation weights and shifting different weights from memory into the existing equalization filter. The Navy seeks to identify optimal implementation strategies to maximize ESM probability of intercept and radar mission effectiveness.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

PHASE I: Demonstrate the approach through a timeline simulation and performance estimation using a high-fidelity simulation for cancellation performance. Perform an initial bench test for a realistic representation of an operational system. Develop plans for a prototype to be developed under Phase II.

PHASE II: Conduct a full lab demonstration with implemented fine grain coordination suitable for an agreed upon transition system. Complete transition planning for implementation on a candidate platform. Establish requirements for radar and ESM space, weight, and power, along with interfaces, cost, hardware, firmware, and software.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Complete development and integration of the capability into Naval airborne platforms. The general technique is applicable to a wide range of situations where multiple radio frequency (RF) sensor systems are operating in close proximity. Any civilian business that utilizes wireless internet infrastructure would benefit from the technology developed in this SBIR effort.

REFERENCES:

1. Cichocki, A. and Amari, S. �Adaptive blind signal and image processing: learning algorithms and applications�. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., 2002. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/0470845899

2. Nikias, C. and Shao, M. �Signal processing with alpha-stable distributions and applications�. New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1995. ISBN: 0-471-10647-X

3. Nikias, C.L. and Mendel, J.M. �Signal processing with higher-order spectra�. IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, 1993, 10(3), 10-37. doi:� 10.1109/79.221324

KEYWORDS: Electronic Support Measures; Electromagnetic Capability; Blanking; Coordinated Transmissions; Signal Processing; Radar