Air Force sbir 04. 1 Proposal Submission Instructions
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| PHASE II: Use engineering model and simulation data to build and test a subscale antenna. The test should characterize the performance of the antenna system throughout its mission phases.
DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Improvements in space-qualified antenna structures will serve the DoD, intelligence community, National Aeronautics and Space, and commercial ventures by allowing more effective power apertures to be placed on orbit. Specifically, these technologies have great benefit to space-based radar systems, communication satellites, space-based missile defense systems, and space-based surveillance systems. REFERENCES: 1. Chmielewski, A.B., and Jenkins, C.H. (2000), "Gossamer Structures: Space Membranes, Inflatables and Other Expendables", in Structures Technology for Future Aerospace Systems, AIAA Progress in Aeronautics and Astronautics (A.K. Noor, Ed.), Vol 188, Chapter 5. 2. Huang, J., Feria, A., Lopez, B., and Lou, M., (2000), "Deployable and Lightweight Antennas for Space Applications", IEEE Antennas and Propogation Socity International Symposium, Meeting July 16, 2000, pp. 1244. KEYWORDS: Antenna Structures, Materials, Deployment AF04-019 TITLE: Multiband Laser Communications TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace OBJECTIVE: Develop capability for wavelength division multiplexing and multiband optical communications. DESCRIPTION: Military Satellite Communications is currently pursuing laser communications as a means of meeting the projected bandwidth requirements of tomorrow's warfighters. Laser communications are being considered for a wide range of applications including UAV (unmanned air vehicles) satellite links and satellite-to-satellite crosslinks. Single wavelength laser communications have several disadvantages (when compared to multiband communications) including susceptibility to jamming and reduced data transfer rate. Advantages of multi-wavelength laser communications transmissions include separating data and increasing the data transfer rate. Multiband laser communications might also enable "wavelength hopping" in which the wavelength is periodically changed during transmissions to improve transmission security. The purpose of this topic is to develop and demonstrate a laser communications link capable of operating on two or more wavelengths, wherein continuous (on-going) communication is maintained when the transmission wavelengths are altered from one to another. PHASE I: Design/develop a multiband laser communications link. Provide a sub-scale demonstration of the innovative technique/device to prove operational feasibility of the concept. Document operational results and address future issues as to (among others) scalability, fault tolerance, control systems capable of random change of transmission wavelength during communication, and security reliability. PHASE II: Fabricate a complete, operationally functional, 'multiband laser communications link' device (based upon selected Phase I technologies) capable of (laboratory based) military lasercom operation. Performance test this device under a full suite of environmental extremes, in addition to (among others) communications capacity, operational life, fault tolerance and security reliability. Document results. DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Results from this project will apply to military missions requiring high security, high capacity communications and civilian applications such as mobile telephony, secure business/government communications, etc. REFERENCES: 1. Tamagawa, Yasuhisa, Suzuki, Jiro, Tajime, Toru, "Multiband optical system using spectral filters with diffractive optical elements", Proc. SPIE Vol. 4130, p. 327-334, Dec 2000. 2. Lambert, Stephen & Casey, William, "Laser Communications in Space", Artech House, May 1995. KEYWORDS: Lasercom, Secure Communications, Multiband, Wavelength, Electro-Optical, Detectors AF04-020 TITLE: Radiation Hardened, Low Power Digital Signal Processors TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace OBJECTIVE: Develop a low cost and low power Digital Signal Processor (DSP) architecture for use with high performance space applications. DESCRIPTION: Future space-borne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, such as the Space Based Radar (SBR) system, will require space qualified, radiation hardened, high throughput DSPs to ensure data latency to the user. A critical component of space-borne systems' heterogeneous on-board processors will be the high throughput processing elements. Given the size, weight, and, especially, power constraints, these processing elements must be highly efficient while also radiation hardened. Both Single Event Effects (SEEs) and Total Ionization Dose (TID) requirements must be met by these operational systems. This SBIR will focus on the definition, development, and performance verification of a high performance, programmable DSP architecture that will enable future transformational space systems. Results will include the simulation of hardware and algorithms, development and fabrication of integrated circuit hardware, and verification of performance. This DSP is the first attempt at providing a scalable, embeddable and design hardened processor portable to evolvable electronic device processing technology. PHASE I: Identify a highly efficient, hardened architecture. Simulate and model performance effects of the processor in different environments. Model the efficiency and throughput characteristics with radar processing algorithms, including Space Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) and Space Frequency Adaptive Processing (SFAP). Using state-of-the-art, space qualified (or qualifiable) integrated circuit processors, develop a scalable and programmable DSP element architecture. A large amount of on-chip memory is desirable for achieving highly efficient, backend signal processing (e.g., radar signal processing). Future ISR systems will require in excess of 5 GFLOPS/s (32-bit floating point arithmetic) per Watt for functions like STAP, Doppler processing, image formation, Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR), and target position estimation. PHASE II: Using a Very Large Scale Integration Computer Aided Design tool suite with Very High speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language modeling, fabricate the programmable DSP element in a space qualified integrated circuit process. Use MATLAB software like a tool to develop and verify the radar processing algorithms and performance. Use software development tools to code the programmable DSP element radar signal processing functions. Verify the programmable DSP element performance by using simulated and actual data (if available), executing various radar signal processing functions on prototype hardware. DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Improvements in hardened DSP architectures will serve the DoD, NASA, and commercial space ventures. As examples for National Aeronautics and Space Administration and commercial purposes, high throughput DSP architectures are needed for communications systems (channelizers, etc.). NASA may use the DSP architecture for Earth Observing (EO) program or Deep Space Program satellites as a method to reduce required throughput and bandwidth through Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. Radiation hardened DSP migration to support floating point software applications needs to exceed a billion operations per second. This device architecture must scale to apply for future military or commercial space missions that include space based radar or ultra wide band communications. The benefits will reduce power, weight and size while improving performance and reducing cost for these space processing intensive applications."communications systems (channelizers, etc.). NASA may use the DSP architecture for Earth Observing (EO) program or Deep Space Program satellites as a method to reduce required throughput and bandwidth through Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. REFERENCES: 1. Prado, E. R. and Prewitt, J. P., "A High Performance COTS Based Vector Processor for Space," 2000 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, 18-25 March 2000, Big Sky MT, USA, vol. 5 pp. 227-233. 2. Belasic, M., Bezerra, F. and Rouxel, G., "Evaluation of the Digital Signal Processor TSC21020F from the Manufacturer TEMIC Semiconductors MHS for Space Applications," European Space Components Conference, ESCCON 2000, 21-23 March 2000, Noordwijk, Netherlands, pp. 239-245. 3. Persyn, S. C., McLelland, M., Epperly, M., Walls, B., "Evolution of Digital Signal Processing Based Spacecraft Computing Solutions," AIAA/IEEE Digital Avionics Systems Conference Proceedings, 14 -18 Oct 2001, Daytona Beach FL, USA, vol. 2, pp. 8C31 - 8C310. KEYWORDS: DSP, High Performance Processing, High Throughput, Radar Signal Processing Algorithms, Radiation Hardened AF04-021 TITLE: Light Weight, High Density Space Qualified Bulk Memory TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Space Platforms OBJECTIVE: Develop an on-board mass storage memory product that focuses on reducing weight, power, volume and cost of existing solutions. Advanced packaging solutions, innovative chip or memory system architectures, or incorporation of emerging technologies may be used to meet this objective for high memory requirement space applications. DESCRIPTION: Future space-borne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, such as the Space Based Radar (SBR) system, will have large On-Board storage requirements. The ability to store and process data on-board will enable near real time dissemination to the user and reach-back to Continental United States for enhanced mission processing. Further, storage will allow longer operational periods without required down-linking, thereby increasing mission effectiveness. Critical to meeting this need is low-power, low-volume, lightweight bulk memory. Write/read speed and volatility will directly affect the overall system usefulness of the bulk memory system. Finally, these memory systems must be able to either resist or efficiently correct for radiation effects, such as ionizing dose and single event effects. Proposals must describe the variety of tradeoffs that are possible for memory solutions, and provide an innovative approach to meet system memory needs. In addition, while the focus of this topic is on performance and not radiation hardening, proposals must show an understanding of space radiation environments on electronics. PHASE I: With a target of 10 TBytes or greater, research the most effective and reliable memory system. Analyze memory stack technologies and architectures. Evaluate most effective chip technologies (Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM); volatile, nonvolatile; solid-state, hard disk). Research sources for memory and advanced packaging technologies. Recommend architecture, technologies, designed support electronics, size, weight and power estimates. Develop a modular Mass Data Storage (MDS) system architecture to support a range of input data rates, memory capacities and size, weight power allocations. For memory system single event effects mitigation beyond chip-level Single Event Upset hardness, there is a preference for fault tolerance using efficient error detection and correction coding techniques such as Reed Solomon rather than expensive block redundancy schemes. Also, redundant Input/Output and controller shall be explored. Target goals of 200 watts of power dissipation per Terabyte of memory storage should be evaluated. High density packaging techniques such as 3-D memory die stacking, wafer scale integration, or multichip packages shall also be explored. Target input data rates are on the order of 20 Gbits per second. PHASE II: Based on Phase I results, fabricate mass memory elements (stacks, multichip modules, etc.) and evaluate all key components in a relative environment. Demonstrate an integrated system to at least 500 Gbytes and a input date rate of at least 10 Gbits per second. Verify power and volume requirements to meet 1Tbyte memory needs through analysis or modeling. DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Improvements in space qualified memory systems are a pervasive need for satellite systems and will serve the DoD, Intelligence Community, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and commercial ventures by allowing more data to be collected and maximizing operational efficiency of the collecting space system. REFERENCES: 1. Anderson, Eric, "FireWire as a mass-storage interface", Computer; December 2002; v.35, no.12, p.51-53. 2. Derbenwick, Gary F.; Isaacson, Alan F., "Ferroelectric memory: on the brink of breaking through", IEEE Circuits and Devices Magazine; Jan 2001; v.17, no.1, p.20-30. 3. El Sayed, Rank Tawfik; Carley, L. Richard, "Performance analysis of beyond 100 Gb/in MFM-based MEMS-actuated mass storage devices", IEEE Transactions on Magnetics; September 2002; v.38, no.5 I, p.1892-1894. 4. Hwang, C. G., "Where does memory go in the 21C? (Evolution and revolution of memory technology)", IEEE Symposium on VLSI Circuits, Digest of Technical Papers; 2000; p.88-91.5. Inomata, K., "Present and future of magnetic RAM technology", IEICE Transactions on Electronics; June 2012001; v.E84-C, no.6, p.740-746. KEYWORDS: SRAM, DRAM, Solid-State, Storage, On-Board Storage AF04-022 TITLE: Integrated Multi-Sensor System for Space Object Tracking, Imaging and Characterization TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate an integrated multi-sensor system concept for high-resolution tracking, imaging and characterization of long-range space/air objects. DESCRIPTION: Tracking and characterization of space objects from ground, or airplane, based sensor several thousands kilometers away are difficult technical challenges for any space/air surveillance and control mission. This is due to the great distances involved, the high speed of the object, and the variations in its trajectory. Available radar techniques provide a tracking resolution much below the required accuracy. Thus optical sensors are often employed to meet the performance requirements. The objective of this solicitation is to develop an innovative system concept of ground/air-based surveillance system with integrated laser tracking and multi-spectral infrared sensing that would provide high-resolution tracking, three-dimensional imaging and characterization of space/air objects with down range resolution of 1 cm and velocity measurement accuracy of 1-10 cm/sec. It will allow for high-accuracy measurements of temporal variations of spatial and spectral parameters in terms of object velocity, shape and temperature to characterize and assess the nature and intent of the object. Both passive and active discrimination techniques could be employed to achieve maximum synergy between spatial and spectral measurements. The system is used to support precise aiming point determination and other space/air control/protection functions. Because there may be several dozens of space targets with different orbital parameters in engagement concurrently, the sensor should be able to switch between multiple targets very rapidly. Thus adaptive optics may not be applicable or cost effective in this operating environment. Nonlinear optics using phase conjugation method that can lock onto a space target with self-steering capability may simplify the system substantially with smaller form factors at much lower cost and make it suitable for airborne platform application. PHASE I: A broad range of candidate design concepts with non-linear optical phase conjugation to integrate active and passive sensors shall be exploited and assessed. Key system parameters are analyzed and characterized. Operational limits and constraints against various space/air control and protection scenarios will be identified and the projected performance envelop is estimated. System architecture and design trades will be conducted to synthesize an optimal system concept to be recommended for more detailed Phase II design, prototyping and demonstration. A detailed technical report and a briefing on the proposed system architecture, preliminary design, concept of operations, enabling technologies and development roadmap, and a transition plan to space/air control system implementation will be provided. PHASE II: Fabricate, integrate, and assemble a prototype of the integrated multi-sensor prototype to demonstrate its operating principle and validate its performance in a turbulent atmospheric environment. Define an application and transition plan for a full-scale system level demonstration of its operability and transferability for space control and protection application will be provided. DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Successful demonstration and validation of the concept in Phase II will be transitioned to a series of system level demonstrations for eventual incorporation into a future space/air control system to interrupt or degrade space/air threats in defending our space/air services. This integrated multi-sensor system can improve the accuracy and efficiency of commercial satellite launch and operations, air traffic control and laser communication. REFERENCES: 1. Jelalian, A. V., Laser Radar Systems, Artech House, Norwood House, MA, 1992, Boulder, Colo., Golem Press, 1969. 2. Zel’dovich B., Pilipetskiy N., Shkunov V., Principles of Phase Conjugation, Springer -Verlag, Berlin, 1985. 3. Infrared Technology and Applications XXVI, Editor(s): Andresen, Bjorn F.; Fulop, Gabor F.; Strojnik, Marija, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4130, 2000. 4. Gerald C. Holst (editor), Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing IX, Proc. SPIE Vol. 3377, 1998. 5. Dean Scribner, Jonathan Schuler, Penny Warren, Grant Howard, and Richard Klein, Melding image for information, SPIE oe magazine, p.24-26, September 2002. KEYWORDS: Space Control and Protection, Integrated Multi-Sensor System, Three-Dimensional Imaging Phase Conjugation, Tracking and Characterization of Space Objects, Nonlinear Optics, Phase Conjugation. AF04-023 TITLE: High-Efficiency Phased -Array Antenna Power Amplifier Modules TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace OBJECTIVE: Develop high efficiency solid-state power amplifier modules for application in multi-carrier components for spaceborne phased-array transmit antennas. DESCRIPTION: This program addresses the need for simultaneous transmission of multiple carriers in Radio Frequency power amplifier chains through the development and implementation of discrete power amplifier modules. Discrete power amplifier modules (PAM), suitable for being implanted in microwave integrated circuit (MIC) structures, will be used to demonstrate the desired performance enhancement. The power output of interest is between 0.1 and 1.0 watts with an input power of approximately ten milliwatts. Future applications will include military satellites such as Transformational Communications program and future surveillance systems such as Space-Based Radar, as well as commercial satellites operating in the 20 GHz transmit (downlink) band. Since multiple modulated carriers will be applied to the modules, the reduction of inter-modulation products is thought to be one of the key issues and should be considered. Potential voltage peaks that could cause device degradation as a consequence of beat frequencies should also be considered a one of the reliability issues. Compensation techniques may be required to meet performance goals. The compensation techniques to be considered include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) automatic gain and level control to maximize efficiency with minimum intermodulation products, 2) a predistortion network to improve linearity and phase matching, 3) wideband characteristics to enhance phase matching, and 4) temperature compensation circuits. PHASE I: Develop innovative approaches to enable high efficiency solid-state amplifier modules for future spaceborne phased-array transmit antennas. Demonstrate feasibility of developed approaches via modeling, simulation and/or brass-board experimental techniques. Conduct system analysis to "qualify" potential benefit to both military and commercial communication systems. PHASE II: Validate proposed approaches via appropriate design, simulation and fabrication of prototype components to demonstrate performance capabilities of new approaches. Build the necessary PAM/MIC hardware and perform adequate demonstrations/testing to show that the contractor has achieved a significant improvement in amplifier performance with regard to efficiency, linearity, phase matching, temperature stability, and reliability through the use of compensating circuitry. Transition of program results to Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technology to show compatibility with current module developments may be described and considered if appropriate within the scope of a phase II effort. DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Phased arrays are receiving considerable attention in both the military and commercial space communications communities. The downlink transmit band at approximately 20 GHz is allocated to both types of service. Accordingly, the effort proposed is directly applicable to many systems under serious consideration for future deployment that involve multiple carrier transmission and in which the reduction of inter-modulation products is a key requirement. REFERENCES: 1. MMIC Amplifier," 1994 IEEE MTT-S Digest. 2. K. Yamauchi, K. Mori, M. Nakayama, Y. Mitsui, and T. Takagi, "A Microwave Miniaturized Linearizer Using A Parallel Diode," 1997 IEEE MTT-S Digest. 3. L. Rowe, C. Chen, M. Harley, J. Lester, S. Huynh, J. Chi, J. Choe, L. Ma, S. Pratoner, C. Wright, A. Ho, R. Lai, K. Brown, R. Duprey, W. Jones, and D. Chow, "Active Aperture Downlinks," Milcom 95 Conference Record. 4. R. J. Mailloux, Phased Array Antenna Handbook, Airtech House 1994 KEYWORDS: Solid-State Amplifiers, Linearizers, Phased Arrays, Antennas, Inter-Modulation Products, Microwave AF04-024 TITLE: Multi-Beam Phased-Array Antenna Beamformers TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace OBJECTIVE: Develop phased-array antenna beamformer architectures that enable multiple/simultaneous beams of moderate to high bandwidth. DESCRIPTION: Phased-array antennas offer significant advantages to communications systems. For example, since the power-aperture product determines performance, a communications system with a large antenna may transmit low radio frequency (RF) power. If the large antenna is a phased-array antenna, design of the receive beamformer (and transmit RF signal distribution) presents several challenges. First, the phased-array antenna must maintain a minimum bandwidth at large off-broadside scanning angles. Second, the beamformer weight per square meter of aperture must be relatively low so that the weight of the large antenna does not exceed specified limitations. Third, the beamformer must support the use of multiple simultaneous search beams. Since the beamwidth is very narrow, communications with a very large antenna requires multiple simultaneous search beams in order to fully search a sector within a specified time. The Air Force is interested in the research and development of innovative phased-array antenna beamformer architecture. In addition to the receive beamformer, all approaches must also consider the transmit signal distribution and the distribution of control signals for beamsteering and calibration. Space feeds are of particular interest due to their potentially minimal weight. Optical beamformers, digital beamformers, and hybrid approaches are also of interest. It should be assumed that the antenna is an active array, operating in the L, S, or X communications bands. The antenna sizes of interest are 40,000 to 400,000 elements. The minimum desired bandwidth is 10 MHz, when scanned 60° off broadsides, to support normal search and track operations. Approaches supporting bandwidths close to 600 MHz at S- band or 1,500 MHz at X-band are desirable (but not required) to support target identification. Average radiated power should be assumed to be in the range of 3 to 30 Watts per square meter of antenna, with roughly a 0.10 duty factor. The multi-beam approaches may utilize a spoiled transmit beam, and should support from 4 to 16 simultaneous beams. 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