Air force 16. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions

OBJECTIVE: Develop scalable, flexible lower SWaP-C GPS crosslink capability that allows future operational systems to forego significant dependence upon ground clock and ephemeris refresh with concurrent support of real-time command and control and age of data.

DESCRIPTION: Global Positioning System (GPS) space segment is currently comprised of 31 satellites in MEO at an approximate altitude of 20,200km (radius approx. 27,600km). The nominal space segment for GPS space consists of 24 space vehicles (SVs) in six orbital planes. Each GPS orbital plane nominally contains four satellites at a 55-degree inclination each (tilt relative to the equator).

GPS satellites receive updates from dedicated ground antennas located at Cape Canaveral, Ascension Island, Diego Garcia, and Kwajalein, as well as the Air Force Space Control Network (AFSCN). The purpose of these updates is to synchronize the atomic clocks on board the satellites, update ephemeris data onboard the satellite, and provide command and control of satellite functions, to include critical data and capabilities needed by U.S. and allied forces in theaters of operation. Each satellite is normally updated once per day, resulting in an average age of data of 11 hours and 58 minutes. Between these updates, as the age of the ephemeris and clock data increases, positioning and timing errors experienced also increase.

GPS Blocks IIR and IIF utilize UHF crosslinks (260 MHz to 290 MHz). This band is allocated on a primary basis to the mobile and fixed services. The Navy UHF Follow-On program has priority for the use of this band, and several other primary users such as paging services limit the utility of this band. Furthermore, the current UHF antenna is omnidirectional, which increases the interference potential. The GPS Directorate has considered other bands such as Ka Band (22.55-23.55 GHz) and V-Band (59.3-64.0 GHz) with directional antennas, but the large size, weight, and cost of this system hindered further development.

To minimize reliance on ground uploads to individual satellites; it is desirable to have GPS satellites communicate via reliable crosslinks at high rates to all assets that minimizes the age of clock and ephemeris. The implementation of this high data rate crosslink provides ephemeris and clock updates across the constellation from a single ground to SV upload with the remaining SVs obtaining updates via the crosslinks. (Updated data transmitted are currently relayed via the crosslinks.) A realistic approach to understanding the viability of these high rate crosslinks is to design and develop capabilities to synchronize clocks and to generate onboard ephemeris via inter-satellite range determination on the crosslinks and geo-location from a crosslink ring with a specific focus on reduced SWaP-C.

Peak data rates per crosslink initially are expected to be approximately 1.5 - 3 Mbps and average data rates will be approximately 200-700 kbps.

Any relevant proposal should clearly indicate how the intended effort conclusion result will improve the GPS system's capabilities via a validation and verification plan.

Proposers are highly encouraged to work with relevant PNT system prime contractors to help ensure applicability of their efforts and the initiation of technology transition design and development.

Proposers should clearly indicate in their proposals what government furnished property or information are required for the success of the effort. Requests for other-DoD contractor intellectual property will be rejected.

PHASE I: Design and develop an innovative concept, which includes a preliminary design for a low SWaP-C space based crosslink system for GPS that meets or exceeds government-specified application requirements.

PHASE II: The selected proposer will design and build an EDU for the GPS crosslink system ground test and evaluation. Phase II efforts should ensure compatibility with component interface descriptions which support overall payload and space vehicle reference designs as part of their commercialization effort. Interface descriptions will be supplied to Phase I awardees invited to propose for Phase II.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Military application: GPS space and MilSatcom constellations. Commercial application: Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Commercialization of the proposed innovation through a Phase III should motivate partnerships with other GPS system contractors.

REFERENCES:

1. "On-Orbit Validation of GPS IIR Autonomous Navigation," John A Rajan, Matthew Orr, and Paul Wang (ITT), Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation 59th Annual Meeting, 23-25 June 2003, pp. 411-419.

2. "The Future of the Global Positioning System," Defense Science Board, October 2005, p. 44 - 45.

3. "National Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Architecture Study Final Report," National Security Space Office, September 2008.

4. "Alternative Architectures for Reduced Age of Data," Ranwa Haddad, John R. Berg, Bernard B. Yoo, Proceedings of the 22nd International Meeting of the Satellite Division of the Institute of Navigation, Sept 22-25 2009, pp 1519 - 1529.

5. “GPS Modernization: GPD III On the Road to the Future”, Dr. Keoki Jackson (Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company), Stanford PNT Symposium, November 13-14, 2012.

6. “Laser Cross-link Systems and Technology,” D.L. Begley, IEEE Communications Magazine, 06 August 2002, pp. 126-132.

7. “Free-Space Optical Communications for Next-generation Military Networks,” J.C. Juarez, A. Dwivedi, A.R. Hammons, and S.D. Jones, IEEE Communications Magazine, 20 November 2006, pp. 46-51.

KEYWORDS: GPS, crosslink, space-based networks, data transfer, free space optical data transfer, FSO

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Space Platforms

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 and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Gail Nyikon, gail.nyikon@us.af.mil.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) augmentation network to provide secure PNT with less than 10 meters horizontal accuracy to ground users in a GPS-denied environment.

DESCRIPTION: Since the inception of Navigation Warfare (Navwar) in the mid-1990s, the concept of pseudo-satellites (pseudolites) has been evaluated as a means of providing precision navigation in the face of threats where GPS is denied by an adversary. Although most concepts have focused on broadcasting GPS-like signals while leveraging the proximity of ground or airborne transmitters to overcome jamming, there has been very little research in the application of ultra-wideband (UWB) or other LPI techniques to provide PNT. The proliferation of digital radio networks illustrates that a hybrid approach may be suitable, one which provides tactical communications in conjunction with PNT.

A hybrid network provides many advantages. The communications capability can be used to distribute critical GPS data, including Zero Age of Data from the GPS Operational Control Segment, as well as time transfer to enable direct acquisition of the military signal. A tactical network can also provide black key distribution and support rapid key supersession. The PNT feature enables time synchronization of the digital network, and can provide Position & Location Information (PLI) to enable blue force tracking of U.S. and Allied forces.

This topic will develop a concept for a PNT augmentation network utilizing LPI techniques. By PNT augmentation, it is assumed that GPS and other satellite systems, such as GLONASS, are sometimes available, and that other PNT capabilities may be available, such as Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Chip-Scale Atomic Clocks (CSACs), and other radio networks. The purpose of the LPI PNT augmentation is to provide a wartime reserve capability that delivers at least 10 meters of horizontal accuracy while avoiding jamming altogether through low detection. In addition to providing ranging capability, this network should provide GPS clock and ephemeris data, GPS almanac data, GPS keys, Navwar situational awareness (such as known jammers/spoofers). Time transfer with accuracy of 1 ms or less should be available for initial synchronization of GPS receivers. Advanced concepts such as virtual arrays created by networked receivers may be explored to enhance the performance and accuracy.

For the proposed concept, the effectiveness, associated Concept of Operations (CONOPS), cost (both non-recurring and recurring), and operational suitability should be evaluated. Application to non-DoD users such as law enforcement should also be evaluated.

PHASE I: Develop a concept for an advanced LPI PNT augmentation and evaluate cost, performance, and suitability.

PHASE II: Design and implement a prototype brassboard system to be tested in a laboratory environment.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Develop prototype system to be integrated in multiple ground vehicles/tested in GPS-denied environment, military GPS user equipment and commercial (FAA) user equipment. Commercialization of proposed innovation through a Phase III should motivate partnerships with other GPS system contractors.

REFERENCES:

1. Chia-Chin Chong; Watanabe, F.; Inamura, H., "Potential of UWB Technology for the Next Generation Wireless Communications," Spread Spectrum Techniques and Applications, 2006 IEEE Ninth International Symposium on, pp. 422,429, 28-31 Aug. 2006.

2. "Ultra Wideband Technology for High Precision Ranging and Location,” Centre Tecnolo`gic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya – CTTC, 2007, http://www.cttc.es/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/100303-uland-white-paper-29713.pdf, Accessed 7 December 2013.

3. Fleming, Robert et al.; "Low-Power, Miniature, Distributed Position Location and Communication Devices Using Ultra-Wideband, Nonsinusoidal Communication Technology", Semi-Annual Technical Report, Contract J-FBI-94-058, Prepared for Advanced ResearchProjects Agency; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wireless, Adaptive, Mobile Information Systems Principal Investigators Meeting, Jul. 1995.

4. He Yi, Zhang Yani, Han Binxia, Wu Sen; “A novel Cognitive Ultra Wideband MAVCOM”, Microwave and Millimeter Wave Technology (ICMMT), IEEE, vol. 4, pp 1-4, May 2012.

KEYWORDS: PNT, electronic warfare, LPI, pseudolite

AF161-092

TITLE: Hypervelocity and Plasma Reentry Research Testbed

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Space Platforms

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 and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Gail Nyikon, gail.nyikon@us.af.mil.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a hypersonic materials testbed for characterization of multiple types of novel reentry materials.

DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks to develop a testbed for characterization of novel materials for use on orbital or sub-orbital reentry vehicles. Of particular interest are self-healing materials, which may include (but are not limited to) carbon/ceramic matrix materials, embedded microcapsules, materials with changeable geometries and/or chemistries to allow changing ablation rates and variable luminescence, and the ability to control air domain velocity to facilitate ablative response. Approaches for designing this testbed may include the use of novel materials, reentry test platforms with variable geometries, or other innovative methods.

PHASE I: Develop preliminary design for a novel reentry material testbed. Simulate expected self-healing properties or novel signatures under ballistic re-entry conditions (3000C+, high dynamic force, and dissociated air), thermodynamic material models of the ceramic/composite ablation process, or self-healing tailorable/controllable ablation materials (compatible with extant computational fluid codes).

PHASE II: Build, test, and deliver a prototype reentry material testbed. Demonstrate self-healing properties or novel signatures under ballistic re-entry conditions (3000C or above, high dynamic force, mega Joule heating rates and dissociated air), thermodynamic material models for the ablation process of ultrahigh temperature ceramics, ceramic composite materials and self-healing materials, and/or materials that allow for tailorable/controllable ablation.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Technology developed under this topic can advance both military and civilian atmospheric reentry systems. Possible applications of this technology include hypervelocity vehicle research, human space crew rescue, and next-generation reusable launch vehicles.

REFERENCES:

1. Raj, Sai V., Singh, Mrityunjay, & Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.: “High Temperature Lightweight Self-Healing Ceramic Composites for Aircraft Engine Applications,” NASA Glenn Research Center; Cleveland, OH United States.

2. Mühlratzer, A. and Pfeiffer, H. (2002) CMC Body Flaps for the X-38 Experimental Space Vehicle, in 26th Annual Conference on Composites, Advanced Ceramics, Materials, and Structures: A: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Volume 23, Issue 3 (eds H.-T. Lin and M. Singh), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA.

KEYWORDS: reentry systems, plasma physics, novel materials, ablation models

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Space Platforms

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 and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Gail Nyikon, gail.nyikon@us.af.mil.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a multi-material additive manufacturing approach using space compatible materials to produce spacecraft components or systems that offer improvements in mass, cost, schedule, and/or performance.

DESCRIPTION: Recently, the field of additive manufacturing has advanced quickly where many systems are being used in personal, commercial, and operational settings. The majority of research efforts are currently focusing on the development and advancement of systems and processes for single-class material systems such as systems for metals, thermoplastics, or conductive inks. These systems are rapidly improving in their ability to produce consistent, high-quality parts using a single material class and have demonstrated mass saving through part optimization beyond the capability of traditional subtractive fabrication approaches as well as significant cost savings by reducing material waste, fabrication time, and engineering design time.

In addition, the focus of most research efforts has been on material systems suitable for terrestrial or aeronautical applications with minimal work directed toward space-compatible material systems. Little work has been conducted to develop systems and processes capable of producing components that require multiple material classes to optimize functionality. This is especially true with respect to material systems that are compatible with the space environment.

This solicitation is seeking multi-material-class additive manufacturing concepts and approaches using structurally relevant materials (such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers [CFRP], titanium, high performance thermoplastics, or other applicable material system) for producing spacecraft components or systems. An example would be a structural panel or electronics enclosure with integrated antennas, wiring, sensors (i.e., strain gauges, temperature sensors, etc.), and/or heater elements. The emphasis is not on a specific component/concept but rather the ability to produce multiple material class systems using additive manufacturing as well as to use materials that are appropriate with the space environment—compatible with high vacuum, UV, radiation, atomic oxygen, and high launch loads.

Regardless of the approach or concept, the proposed approaches must be able to accommodate temperature extremes ranging between -60 C and 80 C; provide a stiffness-to-weight ratio within 80% of traditional spacecraft structures (threshold) or exceeding 100 percent (objective), specifically aluminum or CFRP honeycomb or isogrid structures; and provide a multifunctional aspect that reduces cost, schedule, mass and/or improves system performance. Improvement in any aspect of multi-material additive manufacturing will be considered under this topic.

PHASE I: Develop conceptual designs of the approach based on preliminary analysis. Demonstrate by analysis and/or test the feasibility of such concepts and that the approach can meet all of the performance requirements stated above in the Phase II development effort.

PHASE II: Demonstrate the technology developed in Phase I. Tasks shall include, but are not limited to, a demonstration of key technical parameters that can be accomplished and a detailed performance analysis of the technology. The culmination of the Phase II effort shall be at least one prototype unit delivery for validation testing.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Commercial: Structural health monitoring/sensing and reduce installation time for wiring in automtive and aerospace applications. Military: Embedding extra functionality for sensing, thermal control, wiring and communication for improving DoD systems in aerospace, naval and terrestrial applications.

REFERENCES:

1. Gutierrez, Cassie, et al. "CubeSat fabrication through additive manufacturing and micro-dispensing." Proceedings from the International Microelectronics Assembly and Packaging Society Symposium. 2011.

2. Gibson, Ian, David W. Rosen, and Brent Stucker. Additive manufacturing technologies. New York: Springer, 2010.

3. D. Espalin, D.W. Muse, F. Medina, E. MacDonald, R.B. Wicker, "3D Printing Multi-Functionality: Structures with Electronics," International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Volume 72, Issues 5-8, 2014, pages 963-978 (doi: 10.1007/s00170-014-5717-7).

4. Siggard, Erik J., et al. "Structurally embedded electrical systems using ultrasonic consolidation (UC)." Proceedings of the 17th solid freeform fabrication symposium. 2006.

5. Love, Lonnie J., et al. "The importance of carbon fiber to polymer additive manufacturing." Journal of Materials Research 29.17 (2014): 1893-1898.

KEYWORDS: space platforms, additive manufacturing, structures, thermal, electrical, multifunctional

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Space Platforms

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 and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Gail Nyikon, gail.nyikon@us.af.mil.

OBJECTIVE: Spacecraft solar arrays represent a large target for potential adversarial action. Technologies are sought which have the potential to provide enhanced solar array resilience with minimal impact to overall array performance metrics.

DESCRIPTION: Spacecraft solar arrays provide critical electrical power for spacecraft operations. These systems have been designed to be robust to natural environmental challenges (thermal cycling, vacuum, UV, atomic oxygen, radiation, etc.) however, it is important to consider how these systems may respond to man made threats. This solicitation is looking for modifications to solar array materials and designs that have the potential to provide improved resilience to man made threats, without reducing the overall array performance metrics (ie, $/W, W/kg, W/m3, etc.).

Regarding materials, it may be appropriate to consider which solar array materials may be most vulnerable to a particular threat (ex. high temperature excursions) and to identify alternate materials that could be substituted and thereby provide an improvement to overall resilience. Alternatively, the vulnerability identified may be mitigated via changes to overall array design. The technologies proposed should be capable of successfully being qualified via standards such as AIAA S-111 and AIAA S-112 for solar cells and solar panels, respectively.

PHASE I: Phase I should identify a potential vulnerability (ie weak link) in state of the art solar arrays as well as multiple potential approaches to reducing or eliminating the vulnerability. Analysis and/or preliminary testing should be performed to assess the viability of the proposed solutions, with a potential down select.

PHASE II: Phase II builds upon the analysis and testing performed in Phase I to further refine the technology(ies) of interest. Identified technologies should be evaluated for their performance impacts on nominal array performance metrics. In addition, demonstration of enhanced resilience through breadboard prototype testing and/or analysis should be performed.