Air force 17. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Phase I proposal Submission Instructions

OBJECTIVE: Perform Nuclear Command, Control & Communications (NC3) position, navigation, and timing (PNT) effects analysis of a degraded positioning system on Command and Control functions. The main focus is to understand potential effects on the delivery vehicle in a GPS degraded or denied environment and provide novel solutions to operate through these conditions.

DESCRIPTION: The US Air Force needs a reliable capability with integrated redundancy to maintain capabilities and Situational Awareness (SA) with respect to position, navigation, control, and timing of a delivery vehicle in a GPS denied or degraded environment. Though military GPS signals (e.g. P(Y) and M-code) are less susceptible to attack via spoofing and are used with technologies that are more jam-resistant, background signals can still produce high enough jammer-to-signal ratios to affect receiver PNT accuracy. Robust solutions are needed to ensure effective operations of delivery platforms including but not limited to airborne, and reentry platforms. Currently, the Air Force has very few alternatives to accomplish mission objectives when GPS is denied or removed from the equation leading to loss of position and target information and possibly denying the accomplishment of mission objectives. This SBIR topic seeks solutions in the form of modeling and simulation, hardware, architectural redundancy studies and/or concepts of operations which will enable successful mission operations in GPS denied or degraded environments. Alternative methods of navigation should be compatible with the size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements of airborne and reentry platforms. Technologies approaching GPS PNT accuracy may be considered from a range of options including Ground-Based Augmentation Systems (GBAS), Ground-Based PNT Systems (GBPS), and Hybrid and Alternative PNT Systems (HAPS). Additional requirements to consider relate to availability and performance while operating in a GPS denied/degraded environment, resistance to jamming, all-weather operations, and operating in a radio-frequency (RF) challenged environment.

PHASE I: Research and identify models that accurately simulate delivery vehicle behavior in GPS denied or degraded environments utilizing advanced technology. Develop feasibility study and deliver design specs for possible robust solutions.

PHASE II: Demonstrate effects and draw conclusions through simulation results of GPS denied or degraded environments to define possible way forward to mitigate Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) errors. Perform tests to validate models and simulations created in Phase I. Build prototype as proof of concept through modeling and simulation or hardware realization to deliver to government to be tested in a GPS denied or degraded environment.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Test fidelity of prototype for functionality and manufacturability. Commercial applications allow for location based systems to continue to reliably operate in denied or degraded environments from simple port navigation to search and rescue applications when GPS signals are compromised. Military applications include the ability to locate and direct military assets in denied, or degraded environments.

REFERENCES:

1. Polle, B., "Performance Analysis and Flight Data Results of Innovative Vision-based Navigation in GPS-denied Environment," Proceedings of the 25th International Technical Meeting of The Satellite Division of the Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2012), Nashville, TN, September 2012, pp. 2104-2115.

2. Stubbs, Joshua, Akos, Dennis, "GNSS/GPS Robustness for UAS," Proceedings of the 2016 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Monterey, California, January 2016, pp. 485-493.

3. Hardy, Jeremy, Strader, Jared, Gross, Jason N., Gu, Yu, Keck, Mark, Douglas, Joel, Taylor, Clark, "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Relative Navigation in GPS Denied Environments," Proceedings of IEEE/ION PLANS 2016, Savannah, GA, April 2016, pp. 344-352.

4. “Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications”, Curtis E. Lemay Center for Doctrine Development and Education,https://doctrine.af.mil/download.jsp?filename=3-72-D30-NUKE-OPS-NC3.pdf

5. Atia, M. M., Noureldin, A., Georgy, J., Korenberg, M., "Bayesian Filtering Based WiFi/INS Integrated Navigation Solution for GPS-Denied Environments", NAVIGATION, Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 58, No. 2, Summer 2011, pp. 111-125.

KEYWORDS: GPS, denied, degraded, position, navigation, command, control

AF171-066

TITLE: Real-Time Threat Database

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 threat scenario database architecture for space situational awareness and defensive space control which will enhance the ability to detect and characterize anomalous conditions in a timely fashion.

DESCRIPTION: In today's environment space system threat and anomaly detection, assessment, and response is currently very ad-hoc for a number of reasons. Most threats and anomalies manifest themselves in a non-deterministic fashion and because of that detection and resolution methodologies are often treated as one off situations. Today’s space system operations currently have limited ability to correlate current events with historical events in an automated fashion. What is needed is a more robust, flexible system that would allow the processing of fuzzy information and which would enable correlating current scenarios with past scenarios while accounting for differences in the scenarios. Benefits of a system like that would include reduced response time to events, reduced operations manpower, and improved overall situational awareness and command and control of our space systems. In addition to the complexity inherent within the non-deterministic nature of the anomalies, the problem is made more challenging because relevant information sources may be on heterogeneous and dislocated systems. Another flaw in current systems is the difficulty in building and validating reasoning systems used for space superiority. The focus of this topic is to seek out innovative ideas for how to accomplish this challenging problem. Proposals are sought which would enable capturing historical scenarios and then correlating new and evolving scenarios with historical occurrences. As an example case-based reasoning technology provides a possible technology avenue to accomplish this objective. A case-based like reasoning system could provide a natural way to capture events in real-time, providing real-time validation, and then to extend the system over time as new events occur. Other technologies might include fuzzy logic, expert systems, or neural networks or some combination of the above. Successful proposals would include a good technical design of the decision support system in question as well as demonstrate a solid understanding of the space system environment. Proposals should consider the types of data sources that would be relevant as well as to address how information across disparate systems would be aggregated. Consideration should be given as to how the proposed system would function within existing space system command and control environments. System flexibility should also be a key, as ideally the system would provide the ability to dynamically update its database.

PHASE I: Phase 1 of this topic would result in a solid system design with consideration to information sources, reasoning logic used, update methodology, and traceability to relevant space systems. A limited proof of concept demo in the JSpOC and/or JICSPOC and within the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) Mission System (JMS) architecture.

PHASE II: Phase 2 of this topic would include a fuller implementation of the design developed in phase 1 and include relevant data sources. Implementation and demonstration within the JMS infrastructure would be highly desirable. Phase 2 should also include a proposed plan for how the limited system could integrate within our existing Air Force command and control infrastructure.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The proposed system has potential applicability to both single satellite operations as well as combined satellite operations environments. A likely transition path is through the JMS program via the ARCADE testbed.

REFERENCES:

1. R Haga, J Saleh, "Epidemiology of satellite anomalies and failures: A subsystem-centric approach ", Publication of Acta Astronautica, Vol 69, Issues 7-8, Oct 2011.

2. J Kolodner, "Case Based Reasoning", Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 1993.

3. M Nogueria, M Balduccini, M Gelfond, Ra Watson, M Barry, "An A-Prolog decision support system for the space shuttle",http://www.researchgate.net/publication/2326923_An_A-Prolog_decision_support_system_for_the_Space_Shuttle.

KEYWORDS: Anomaly detection, space situational awareness, threat detection, space superiority, satellite course of action

AF171-067

TITLE: Miniaturization of Comprehensive Energetic Charged Particle Detectors for Anomaly Attribution

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: Drive Size, Weight, and Power lower by a factor of 2x to 4x for Energetic Charged Particle sensors over current designs.

DESCRIPTION: With new policy requiring Energetic Charged Particle (ECP) sensors on all new Air Force satellite acquisitions, it is incumbent to miniaturize the system to allow implementation across the fleet as the Air Force moves toward smaller and disaggregated constellations. While current designs (4kg, 10W, 3600cc) are acceptable for large space systems, many missions will be accomplished in the small satellite class (100kg). For systems this small, either the ECP policy will need to be waived, leaving a gap in attribution capability, or a miniaturized sensor with SWaP reduction by a factor of 2x to 4x needs to be developed while still meeting ECP requirements.

Space environment impacts are rare, and typically only happen during times of extreme particle flux.[1] However, a space environment sensor also needs to conclusively measure a normal environment to rule out environmental impacts. This means an ECP sensor for anomaly resolution will be required to differentiate between various extreme environments while still also measuring the normal environment. This has created extreme requirements in terms of flux and energy range. Additionally, the environment must be measured with sufficient resolution to differentiate a hazardous from a non-hazardous environment.

The net requirement is to measure electrons from 100eV to 5MeV and protons from 2MeV to 100MeV from median to the 99th percentile climatology (roughly four orders of magnitude at a given energy channel). Energy channel spacing must be better than a factor of 1.8 across the sensor range, and the detectors must be able to determine the omnidirectional flux as well as estimate the peak directional flux (if within the field of view) within a factor of 4 accounting for all error sources and within a factor 2 for the combination of systematic error with uncertainties resulting from field of view limitations, including background fluxes and cross-contamination. The design must not saturate within the required flux ranges and the response shall not roll over for fluxes exceeding these ranges. Current designs deal with this by dividing the energy range between multiple sensors so the flux range each sensor has to deal with are manageable. [e.g. 2,3] Additionally, the instruments must be rated to survive in space for the mission life of the host vehicle, often up to 15 years.

The initial goal is to identify candidate technologies and innovative concepts that would allow a reduction in SWaP, for example by increasing the energy and flux range of single sensors, enhancing the speed at which the detectors and associated electronics can count particles, or reducing the size of the detector.

The final goal is to develop and qualify for spaceflight technologies enabling a reduction in ECP SWaP by a factor of 2x to 4x.

PHASE I: Review sensor technologies and provide estimates of how to best accomplish reductions in SWaP for ECP sensors. Review candidate technologies and provide a recommended technical approach for Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop prototype sensors and perform high-fidelity modeling of performance, verifying response under laboratory and calibration facility test.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Refine concept and develop space-qualified detector(s) capable of integration into future ECP systems or direct integration on AF satellites by SMC prime contractors. It is expected that there will be commercial interest in sensor technologies as well.

REFERENCES:

1. O’Brien, T. P. (2009), SEAES-GEO: A spacecraft environmental anomalies expert system for geo-synchronous orbit, Space Weather, 7, S09003, doi:10.1029/2009SW000473.

2. Dichter, B. K. et. al, Compact Environmental Anomaly Sensor (CEASE): A Novel Spacecraft Instrument for In Situ Measurement of Environmental Conditions, IEEE Trans. On Nucl. Sci., 45(6), 2758-2764, 1998.

3. Lindstrom, C.D. et. al, Characterization of Teledyne microdosimeters for space weather applications, Proc. SPIE 8148, Solar Physics and Space Weather Instrumentation IV, 814806 (September 29, 2011); doi:10.1117/12.893814

KEYWORDS: spacecraft, anomaly, attribution, energetic charged particle, ECP

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Electronics, Sensors

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 new methodologies to assess and verify Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) trust and integrity.

DESCRIPTION: FPGAs provide complex processing tailored to individual applications without requiring expensive custom integrated circuit (IC) development. With the highest density circuit fabrication facilities now overseas, high performance (smaller size; less weight and power) devices cannot be acquired through trusted sources. This SBIR solicits research and development that would lead to raising the levels of trust of high performance FPGA technologies.

The goal is to produce hardware and/or software components to validate FPGA integrity. Significant payoff will result with national space programs, missile programs, and ground hardware programs being able to use state of the art FPGAs (that have more capability with lower size, weight and power) that may not be manufactured in a fully trusted foundry. The goal is to develop new methodologies to assess FPGA hardware and/or software validate trust and integrity. Near term targeted programs are Spaced Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High, Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR), a Space Situational Awareness follow-on system, and others. If other IC devices are considered, then nearly all DOD programs would benefit.

PHASE I: Phase 1, Develop innovative non-destructive approach and strategy to verifying FPGA chip integrity. Hardware based, software based, or a combination is acceptable. The Phase I effort should justify the proposed hardware-based, software-based, or combined approach proposed.

PHASE II: Phase 2, Develop the concepts of the Phase I research for implementation in Phase II to include definition of technology and preliminary designs (TRL 3) to validate and prove concepts.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: In this phase, mature the technology and develop into a product for commercialization. This technology has potential applications across the commercial market as it provides a means to validate microchip integrity thereby lowing the risk of use for microelectronics manufactured in oversees foundries. As such, all commercial markets that utilize microelectronics could benefit from this validation technology.
One approach for commercialization follows:
Step 1, Prototype (TRL 4/5) demonstration to show feasibility on actual and test FPGAs.
Step 2, Methods fully verified (TLR 6) with a variety of devices.
Step 3, Integrate methodology into the overall supply chain.

REFERENCES:

1. Mike Johnson & Brandon Eams, On the Assessment of Trust in Development Tools, Intellectual Property and Applications Targeting FPGAs, Microelectronics @ NSA Symposium, 10-12 Mar 2015.

2. Stephen Trimberger & Jason Moore, Xilinx, FPGA Security: Motivations, Features, and Applications, Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 102, No. 8, Aug 2014.

KEYWORDS: trusted, FPGA

AF171-069

TITLE: Improved Data Fusion Techniques for Space-Based Remote Sensing

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Space Platforms

OBJECTIVE: Develop and implement alternative/innovative fusion techniques to include traditional and non-traditional data sources for improvement in performance, and/or cost reductions for Remote Sensing missions.

DESCRIPTION: Develop innovative technology improvements for concepts, methods, techniques or approaches for data fusion algorithms using Overhead Persistent Infra-Red (OPIR) source[s] and potentially alternate sensors that provide significant improvement in performance, and/or reduces cost for Remote Sensing missions, including OPIR, civil monitoring and Weather. This may include, but is not limited to: improvements in the speed, performance and/or accuracy of traditional fusion algorithms; fusion of non-traditional sources with OPIR; and/or alternative fusion methods that result in enhanced performance. Transition of capabilities include evaluation/validation at the Government TAP Room Laboratory in Boulder, CO then the SBIRS OBAC for operational assessment.

The goal is to demonstrate and evaluate the developed fusion concept in an operational-like environment. Once the TAP Room Laboratory is open, an environment for developers will exist for developers to investigate unique, innovative fusion techniques, traditional and non-traditional fusion source combinations. SBIRS Data will be available in the TAP Room initially, however plans for VIIRS and DMSP data are in the works. Additional data sources as needed/specified by developers may be necessary in the future. Alternative sources of data may serve to validate/increase confidence, accuracy of otherwise single source data, and/or increase spectral, spatial and/or temporal resolution. Application to multiple mission areas through fusion of alternate sources will increase utility of data and provide cost savings to the Government. Specific mission application to Missile Warning, Missile Defense, and Battlespace Awareness are desired, i.e. application of alternate remote sensing data to support those missions in terms of clutter rejection, atmospheric phenomena, for detection, typing/discrimination and tactical parameter estimation performance.

The products of this effort will be installed, integrated and tested at the RS TAP Room laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where SBIRS, potentially other OPIR and eventually weather data will be available. The product will be evaluated alongside and against other fusion and exploitation products. Operational users will be on hand to evaluate the utility and performance of the products. Products that provide value and support the RS Mission will be transitioned to the OBAC and/or other operational sites as determined once sufficient testing has taken place.

PHASE I: Identify and develop an initial concept, design approach and prototype for an innovative fusion concept, technique or combination of traditional and non-traditional sources. Testing is encouraged. Experimentation with recorded and/or simulated data is encouraged.

PHASE II: Refine and implement design from Phase 1. Conduct comprehensive testing and analysis with focus on testing and evaluation using live data sources. Testing in an operational-like environment with live data is required.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Successfully demonstrated and validated data fusion techniques that provide value to the RS Mission will be transitioned to the OBAC and/or other operational sites as determined once sufficient testing has taken place.

REFERENCES:

1. Mark Bedworth, Jane O'Brien, James Llinas, Research Gate Article, Data Fusion: The Benefits of Collaboration and Barriers to the Process, Jan 07, 2015.

2. James L. Crowley, Yves Demazeau, Signal Processing Article, Principles and Techniques for Sensor Data Fusion, 1993.

3. Y.A. Vershinin, IEEE: Information Fusion, a Data Fusion Algorithm for Multi-Sensor Systems, 2002.

4. M. Kastek; R. Dulski; M. Zyczkowski; M. Szustakowski; W. Ciurapinski; K. Firmanty; N Palka; G. Bieszczad, SPIE Proceedings, Multisensor Systems for Security of critical infrastructures: concept, data fusion and experimental results, September 8, 2011.