Department of the navy (don) 17. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions introduction

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Electronics, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PMA-263), EMW-FY14-01, Spectral and Reconnaissance Imagery for Tactical Exploitation (SPRITE)

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 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 a capability to generate a current high-precision 3D terrain model of an urban environment from Wide Area Airborne Surveillance (WAAS) imagery using very low Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP) airborne processor. The models must be sufficiently timely and accurate to support planning of ground and air ingress, weapons delivery, and egress during an ongoing operation.

DESCRIPTION: The USMC anticipates deployment of small tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) fitted with wide area Electro Optical (EO), Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) and Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) sensors. A system that generates high-fidelity 3D models of an evolving urban landscape is desired to support mission planning, enhance situational awareness, and assess battle damage. Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of generating 3D terrain model from WAAS imagery and identified key challenges. WAAS data required for model generation is too large for transmission over tactical data links. Furthermore, the need for timeliness requires that models be generated while the UAV is airborne. 3D model calculation must be computed via a small low-power onboard processor without compromising other mission-critical payload activities. Novel methods or combinations of methods are sought that produce high fidelity models in this highly constrained size, weight, and power (SWAP) environment. Though multiple sensors may be available, this effort should focus on building high-fidelity 3D terrain maps from Electro-Optical imagery. Though multiple modalities may be used to supplement the solution, availability should not be expected, and use of multiple sensor modalities is not expected under this topic. However, techniques and algorithms developed should be compatible with Infrared sensor imagery. Future small payloads may include LIDAR; hence techniques and algorithms that are compatible to this sensor modality as well are looked upon favorably.

It is assumed models may be generated from altitudes as high as 12,000ft and cover areas of up to a 4Km diameter area. It is expected the user will be able define the area of interest as well as its size for each mission. New models may need to be generated without return to ground. Any proposed use of data links is constrained by tactical data link throughput rates (4Mbps-10Mbps range) and the available processing power is expected to be well under 10W. For this topic, EO and SWIR imagers can be capable of 0.20m ground sample distance (GSD) or better with update rates of 2Hz or better. It is not assumed all imagers will be available on one platform, but could be in some applications. Ultimately terrain maps would be desirable from whichever sensor has best visibility. Both circular and straight line flight paths are expected, though typical flight path is not known at this time; proposals should identify if the proposed approach will require a specific flight paths during data capture. Template map applications are not excluded if they can achieve the desired fidelity and meet user constraints. Imagery data can be provided if needed for development purpose.

PHASE I: Identify concepts and methods to enable data collection and mathematical computation of 3D terrain models for this application and develop initial concept design and model key elements. Determine if new models or new modeling techniques are required to meet this challenge. Define the algorithms and process necessary to generate high fidelity models under size, power, and bandwidth constraints. Perform an analysis to determine the ability to generate a model under said constraints and to demonstrate feasibility using proposed techniques. A simulation or demonstration is useful in reducing risk.

Complete a feasibility plan that demonstrates an energy efficient method to create high-fidelity terrain models from a small unmanned airborne platform. The methodology should include models/compressed models, algorithms, and new methodologies to maximize efficiency. Offeror should provide a comparison of data fidelity using proposed mathematical computations. A feasibility demonstration should show the potential of the proposed techniques and address metrics including but not limited to processing and storage resources required, expected power dissipation during 3D model generation, and estimated time required to generate terrain maps for a given area of interest. Small, low power embedded processors or FPGA processors may be used as representative of airborne processors. The feasibility plan should clearly identify the critical technology elements that must be overcome to achieve success and the approach to overcome these. Technical work for all phases should focus on the risk reduction of critical technology elements. Prepare a development plan for Phase II.

At the conclusion of this phase, the performer should provide a focused report on the methodology and algorithms proposed and expected performance (metrics). The report should clearly identify any external data required for the developed algorithms, any constraints perceived, and methodologies to execute. As mentioned above, a small demonstration of the proposed technology is useful in assessing risk.

PHASE II: Build a prototype hardware model to demonstrate the proposed methodology and algorithms. Develop the detail algorithms and supporting software to implement the methodology proposed in Phase I. Demonstrate and validate the prototype algorithms in a realistic environment and present performance metrics. This does not have to be demonstrated in an airborne demonstration. The prototype should demonstrate the viability and potential benefits of the technology. The prototype should be relevant to both DoD and commercial use cases. Deliver a technology transition/commercialization plan.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: It is anticipated that a successful 3D model computation capability would be of interest to multiple tactical Unmanned Air System programs having varying degrees of space and power constraints and different sensors payloads. Produce a system capable of deployment and operational evaluation. Demonstrate the system in a relevant setting - as a component of larger payload (for a program of record). The work should focus on tailoring the developed capability in order to achieve a transition to a program of record in one or more of the military Services. The system should provide metrics for performance assessment. Private Sector Commercial Potential: Private sector commercial development could support ongoing airborne Amazon deliveries and other similar applications.

REFERENCES:

1. Song, W., Cho, S., Cho, K., Um, K., Won, C. S., & Sim, S. (2014). Real-time intuitive terrain modeling by mapping video images onto a texture database doi:10.1007/978-3-642-40861-8_2.

2. An Efficient Algorithm for Real-Time 3D Terrain Walkthrough; Michael Hesse and Marina L. Gavrilova; international conference on computational science and its applications; ijcc.org/on-line2(pdf)/pdf/ijcc3-12.pdf

3. Song, W., Cho, S., Cho, K., Um, K., Won, C. S., & Sim, S. (2014). Traversable ground surface segmentation and modeling for real-time mobile mapping. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, 2014 doi:10.1155/2014/795851.

4. Nex, F., & Remondino, F. (2014). UAV for 3D mapping applications: A review. Applied Geomatics, 6(1), 1-15. doi:10.1007/s12518-013-0120-x.-

KEYWORDS: Efficient real time terrain rendering; terrain modeling for airborne low Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP); efficient generation of high fidelity 3D terrain models; Efficient Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generation techniques

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.

N171-097

TITLE: Sustainable Autonomous Target Recognition of Maritime Targets from Passive ISAR Imagery

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MQ-8C, MQ-4C and P-8A. Directly supports FNCs STK-FY13-01 Long Range RF Find, Fix, and Identify, and STK-FY18-03 Spectrum Maneuverable Radar Technology.

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 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 innovative algorithmic approaches for bistatic Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging and a robust, efficient, sustainable, and high performance automated target recognition (ATR) approaches for passive ISAR imaging. Passive imaging enables one platform to provide for the illumination needs of multiple platforms, reducing both energy usage and threat exposure of the passive collection platforms.

DESCRIPTION: Currently naval maritime surveillance operations in congested littoral environments present airborne senor operators with hundreds to possibly thousands of vessels under radar track. Classifying, identifying and determining the intent of vessels in these environments quickly overloads sensor operators and situational awareness suffers is extremely challenging. To further complicate the tactical situation, with increased anti-access/area denial (A2AD) proliferation, friendly air platform protection has become extremely challenging. The threat increases when the adversary is alerted to the friendly asset’s presence. To that end, friendly receive platforms can reduce exposure by exploiting cooperative bistatic RF signals emitted from other friendly assets, enabling maritime threat identification from ISAR imagery without exposing the second platform to RF detection. Cooperative standoff illuminators or stand-in illuminators can provide coordinated or opportunistic illumination. Bistatic operations expand radar degrees of freedom, which can substantially increase template database dimensionality. Currently the state of the art ISAR based vessel classification tools have been developed for only monostatic ISAR. Efficient classification approaches are needed for bistatic ISAR imagery that leverage the diverse illumination and viewing geometries.

PHASE I: Develop and demonstrate feasibility of passive ISAR algorithms and concepts of operation using realistic simulated data you generate in a lab environment representative of a candidate Navy radar systems. Identify promising passive ISAR features resulting from bistatic illumination of maritime vessels to support classification.

PHASE II: Develop and implement the algorithms resulting from the Phase I effort in a real-time processing environment and demonstrate with a candidate radar and coordinated illuminator in a field test. Demonstrate how the passive ISAR application can be integrated with candidate Navy radar systems and platforms.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Transition the developed technology to candidate platforms/sensors. Potential transition platforms include the MQ-8C Fire Scout, MQ-4C Triton and the P-8A Poseidon. Private Sector Commercial Potential: Potential commercial applications include airborne port surveillance and also low cost surveillance systems monitoring moving targets.

REFERENCES:

1. Berisha, V. et al., “Sparse Manifold Learning with Applications to SAR Image Classification,” IEEE ICASSP 2007, pp. 1089-1092, 2007.

2. Mishra, A. and Mulgrew, B., “Bistatic SAR ATR,” IET Radar Sonar Navigation, 1 (6), pp. 459-469, 2007.

3. Jackson, J., Rigling, B., and Moses, R., “Canonical Scattering Feature Models for 3D and Bistatic SAR,” IEEE Trans. On Aerospace and Electronic Systems, 46 (2), pp. 525-541, 2010.-

KEYWORDS: Bistatic; Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar; Maritime Surveillance; Passive Imaging; Radar; Maritime Vessel Classification

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.

N171-098

TITLE: Cellular Base Station for Low Earth Orbit Space Missions

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics, Space Platforms

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: FY18 new start called A2AD Communications Operations using Nanosats

OBJECTIVE: Develop and cellular radio base station compatible with the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), using Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology, for use in CubeSat payload in Low Earth Orbit.

DESCRIPTION: The loss of a single communications link should not lead to disaster for our warfighters. Diverse communications paths are required to ensure reliable communication in a variety of austere scenarios. Technologies that enable links via multiple (ground, air, and/or space) communications layers are highly encouraged.

The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is a military communications satellite system designed to improve and expand ground communications for the disadvantaged user. The Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) waveform is an air interface standard found in 3G mobile telecommunications networks, including a modified military waveform designed for MUOS. Currently, the four MUOS satellites in geosynchronous orbit leave a gap in coverage beyond 65 degrees latitude. Deploying a MUOS radio and a miniaturized base station on a CubeSat constellation will expand the MUOS coverage area as well as offer the warfighter multiple beams of communication.

Three unit (3U) and six unit (6U) CubeSat free flying mission designs will be considered. Specific spacecraft bus models or designs have not been chosen, although it can be assumed that approximately half of a 3U spacecraft or one third of a 6U spacecraft size, weight and power will be used for power management, attitude control, communications and other basic spacecraft functions. In general, proposed payloads should:

• Meet the CubeSat Design Specifications (reference 2)

PHASE I: Develop a concept and determine feasibility for the development of a deployable; cellular radio base station design for CubeSat’s to support a naval space mission.

Tasks under this phase include:
• Create an initial conceptual design for development of a prototype system in Phase II
• Predict payload performance using modeling and simulation or other tools
• Consider spacecraft integration issues
• Estimate mass and volume requirements

PHASE II: Build a cellular radio base station prototype payload and test it in the space environment.

• Improve the payload design based on feedback from Phase I and from Phase II testing.
• Demonstrate operation of the prototype in a simulated space environment to include thermal vacuum and vibration testing. See reference 2 for testing requirements.
• Evaluate measured performance characteristics versus payload performance predictions from Phase 1 and make design adjustments as necessary.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate the cellular base station with a Cubesat bus and launch into low earth orbit for testing. Demonstrate interoperability with MUOS user equipment and the MUOS network management system. Integrate the capability into the MUOS program of record to enhance coverage and capacity of the system. Private Sector Commercial Potential: The technologies developed under this topic can be applied to a variety of commercial, military and space exploration CubeSat missions. A number of commercial space firms have stated plans or already begun to develop large communications satellite missions in Low Earth Orbit. This technology could become part of those systems.

REFERENCES:

1. Naval Open Architecture. https://acc.dau.mil/oa

2. CubeSat Design Specifications, http://www.cubesat.org/resources/

3. “The Navy's Needs in Space for Providing Future Capabilities”, 2005, National Academies Press, http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11299

4. PEO Space Systems programs. http://www.public.navy.mil/spawar/PEOSpaceSystems/ProductsServices/Pages/default.aspx-

KEYWORDS: MUOS; CubeSat; Nanosat; Smallsat; WCDMA; satellite; communications; cellular; 3G

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.

N171-099

TITLE: Next Generation Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Unified Satellite Communication Control System

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics, Space Platforms

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Joint Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Military Satellite Communications Network Integrated (JMINI) Control System (CS), Integrated Waveform (IW) CS ACAT IVT

OBJECTIVE: Develop the next generation satellite control system (both software and hardware) that supports Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) 5 kHz, 25 kHz and Integrated Waveform (IW) protocols and MIL-STDs and is RF radio independent for the purpose of cost and equipment footprint reduction.

DESCRIPTION: The major issue that Joint Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Military Satellite Communications Network Integrated Control System (JMINI CS) and Integrated Waveform Control System (IW CS) faces is the increase in equipment procurement and maintenance cost which is mainly due to the proprietary ownership in portions of software and firmware. Whenever a software modification is needed, either due to the discovery of software bugs or a change in operational need, a sole source contract is required in order for the vendor who owns the rights to DAMA 5 kHz software to make modifications. Subsequently, the sustainment effort has become inefficient and costly to PMW 790.

JMINI CS DAMA 25 kHz uses a General Dynamics (GD) Digital Modular Radio (DMR) to transmit and receive orderwire messages between operational sites while the ViaSat RT-1828s are used for sending and receiving orderwire messages for DAMA 5 kHz and IW CS. While DMRs are very a capable piece of RF equipment, they are very costly; therefore, it is a waste of resources since JMINI CS only requires a more simplistic RF architecture to send and receive orderwire messages. In addition, the overall equipment footprint is large considering the total number of DMRs which have been fielded at four (4) operational sites with fourteen (14) DMRs at each site, for a total of (56) fifty six DMRs. Additionally, each operational site has (4) four RT-1828s for IW and (4) four RT-1828s for DAMA 5 kHz which gives a total of (32) thirty two RT-1828s.

Based on the aforementioned issues, the ultimate goal is to develop an open software architecture and a non-vendor specific radio solution. Furthermore, it is in the government’s best interest to develop a new innovative satellite communication control system that is RF radio independent. A new control system which supports DAMA 5 kHz, 25 kHz and IW protocols will reduce the cost to procure and maintain this vital system. In addition, moving to a solution that is independent from what type of radio is used to transmit and receive orderwire messages will give us more flexibility in procurement and more competition among vendors reducing the cost of both procurement and sustainment. Finally, a control system which supports all three protocols coupled with a new radio will reduce the equipment footprint needed in the operational sites and subsequently reduces overall program costs.

PHASE I: Develop and define a concept for an open software architecture and determine required capabilities and functionalities for the development of a new control system to meet JMINI (5 kHz and 25 kHz) CS and IW CS operational requirements as defined in military standards listed in Reference

PHASE II: Design an architecture and develop new software code for the new control system by taking advantage of current government releasable software code

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Finalize, as needed, the development of software code for the new control system

REFERENCES:

1. MIL-STD-188-181 – Interoperability Standard for Single-Access 5-kHz and 25-kHz UHF Satellite Communication Channels, 18 September 1992

2. MIL-STD-188-181A – Interoperability Standard for Single-Access 5-kHz and 25-kHz UHF Satellite Communication Channels, 31 March 1997

3. MIL-STD-188-181B – Interoperability Standard for Single-Access 5-kHz and 25-kHz UHF Satellite Communication Channels, 20 March 1999

4. MIL-STD-188-181C – Interoperability Standard for Access to 5-kHz and 25-kHz UHF Satellite Communications Channels, 30 January 2004

5. MIL-STD-188-182 – Interoperability Standard for 5-kHz UHF DAMA Terminal Waveform, 18 September 1992

6. MIL-STD-188-182A – Interoperability Standard for 5-kHz UHF DAMA Terminal Waveform, 31 March 1997

7. MIL-STD-188-182B w/ Change 1 – Interoperability Standard for UHF SATCOM DAMA Orderwire Messages and Protocols, 2 June 2008

8. MIL-STD-188-183 – Interoperability Standard for 25-kHz UHF DAMA Terminal Waveform, 18 September 1992

9. MIL-STD-188-183A – Interoperability Standard for 25-kHz TDMA/DAMA Terminal Waveform (Including 5-kHz and 25-kHz Slave Channels), 20 March 1998

10. MIL-STD-188-183B – Interoperability Standard for Multiple-Access 5-kHz and 25-kHz Satellite Communications Channels, 30 January 2004

11. MIL-STD-188-183B w/ Change 1 – Interoperability Standard for Multiple-Access 5-kHz and 25-kHz UHF Satellite Communication Channels, 2 June 2008

12. MIL-STD-188-185 – Interoperability of UHF MILSATCOM DAMA Control System, 29 May 1996.

13. MIL-STD-188-185A – Interoperability of UHF MILSATCOM DAMA Control System (Draft), 12 Mar 2012-

KEYWORDS: JMINI CS, IW CS, satellite control system, UHF, SATCOM