N243-106 TITLE: Drone RF Optimized Nodal Element (DRONE) Antenna System
OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems;Microelectronics;Advanced Materials
OBJECTIVE: Develop a tunable Drone RF Optimized Nodal Element (DRONE) Antenna System using tethered drones.
DESCRIPTION: The Navy is heavily reliant on communications to function in all operating environments. Thus, there is a need for solutions that contribute to the redundancy and/or resiliency of communications capabilities. The process to install new antenna systems aboard Navy platforms is both time consuming and costly. The transition targets are Naval systems within the High Frequency (HF) to Very High Frequency (VHF) bands, to include Digital Modular Radio (DMR). DMR is a software defined radio capable of four channels that can simultaneously support both voice and data networks and various waveforms.
The tunable antenna system using tethered drones must enable the following (at a minimum):
- Cover the military HF to the VHF bands (Threshold: 3 MHz - 88 MHz; Objective: 2 MHz - 300 MHz)
- Handle high-power levels (Threshold: 40 dBW; Objective: 50 dBW)
- Match the desired frequency through means such as tether length, matched filters, current probes, switched current clamps, etc. (Threshold: 1/4 wave; Objective: 1/2 wave)
- Provide beam forming/nulling capabilities with an array of elements (Objective)
- Reduce the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of the drones by means such as radar absorptive materials, active signals interactions, etc. (Objective)
This SBIR topic focuses on addressing these challenges with the DRONE Antenna System, a novel antenna system utilizing tethered drones. This solution shall operate from the military HF band to the VHF band. To cover this frequency range, the tethered antenna shall adjust to /4 (Objective: /2) of the desired center frequency/antenna element. The drones shall employ precision flight patterns/maneuvers to address the arc of the tether to avoid polarization issues, as well as allow for the safety of flight away from the naval platform. Additionally, the DRONE Antenna System shall be easily and quickly deployable and be scalable to form an array of drones.
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 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVWAR 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 during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
PHASE I: Conduct a study to determine the technical feasibility of the DRONE Antenna System, that covers the operational HF and VHF frequencies. Describe the technical solution based on the investigation and technical trade-offs.
For the identified solution, develop the SBIR Phase II Project Plan to include a detailed schedule (in Gantt format), spend plan, performance objectives, and transition plan for the target Program of Record (PoR).
PHASE II: Develop the prototype DRONE Antenna System. Demonstrate and validate its performance in a laboratory environment.
Develop a set of performance specifications for the DRONE Antenna System. Conduct the Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) Process (i.e., System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), and Critical Design Review (CDR)).
Engage and collaborate with the Program Office and Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific engineers. Establish a working relationship with PMW/A 170 and NIWC Pacific engineers to perform integration studies to include the identification of any necessary engineering changes to the target PoR system(s).
Develop a SBIR Phase III Project Plan to include a detailed schedule (in Gantt format) and spend plan, performance requirements, and revised transition plan for the target PoR system(s). Develop the life-cycle support strategies and concepts for the system.
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: Refine and fully develop the Phase II prototype to produce a Production Representative Article (PRA) of the DRONE Antenna System. Perform Formal Qualification Tests (FQT) (e.g., field testing, operational assessments) of the PRA solution with the target PoR system(s). Provide life-cycle support strategies and concepts for the DRONE Antenna System by developing a Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP). Additionally, investigate the dual use of the developed technologies for commercial applications. Commercial applications include rapid deployment of mobile networks for disaster relief, business continuity backup communications systems, and temporary augmentation of Major Network Operators (e.g., AT&T) to support events in remote locations that lacks infrastructure.
REFERENCES:
KEYWORDS: Antenna; Battle Force Tactical Network; BFTN; Digital Modular Radio; DMR; High Frequency; HF; Very High Frequency; VHF; Tactical Communications Modernization; TACCOM; TACCOMS
** TOPIC NOTICE ** |
The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoD 24.3 SBIR BAA. Please see the official DoD Topic website at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations for any updates. The DoD issued its Navy 24.3 SBIR Topics pre-release on August 21, 2024 which opens to receive proposals on September 18, 2024, and closes October 16, 2024 (12:00pm ET). Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (August 21, through September 17, 2024) proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. Once DoD begins accepting proposals on September 18, 2024 no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period. DoD On-line Q&A System: After the pre-release period, until October 2, at 12:00 PM ET, proposers may submit written questions through the DoD On-line Topic Q&A at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login/ by logging in and following instructions. In the Topic Q&A system, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing. DoD Topics Search Tool: Visit the DoD Topic Search Tool at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ to find topics by keyword across all DoD Components participating in this BAA.
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| 9/23/24 | Q. | Can each of the driven elements be driven with an independently phased offset? |
| A. | Each of the antennas and/or elements will receive the signals with any phase offset required to form beams. The DRONE system will merely provide the radiating and receiving elements | |
| 9/19/24 | * Technical Points of Contact for topic N243-106 provide link to additonal frequently asked questions: navysbir.com/n24_3/N243-106-FAQ-A.pdf | |
| 9/19/24 | Note from DoN:
Power levels within topic corrected to:Handle high-power levels |
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| 9/11/24 | Q. | Are the beam forming/nulling capabilities and reduction of RCS for this effort considered threshold requirements or objective requirements? |
| A. | They are considered objective requirements, not threshold. | |
| 9/07/24 | Q. | 40 - 50 dBW translates to 10 - 100 kW, which would require wires too heavy for a small drone to lift. Are larger drones being considered also (larger than the one in the website referenced) or is this a typo? i.e., dB"W" vs. dB"m". 40 - 50 dBm would translates to 10-100W, which we believe is more reasonable. |
| A. | The requirement is to handle power levels: HF: 40 dBW (Threshold), 50 dBW (Objective) | VHF: 30 dBW (Threshold), 40 dBW (Objective). The reference website is only listed to spark ideas. Please propose any design that will create the antenna array and meet the requirements listed on the topic. | |
| 9/05/24 | Q. | 1. How much time is allotted for tuning and re-tuning?
2. What is the bandwidth of the four channels? 3. Are the antennas intended for reception as well as transmission? If yes, will we be responsible for controlling EMI from the drone? |
| A. | 1. Up to one (1) minute.
2. Not limited to 4 channels. HF bandwidth will be up to 10 MHz; VHF bandwidth will be up to 50 MHz. 3. TX and RX. For emissions, there are no performance target currently, please propose the goal parameters. |
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