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

The transition from military type systems to COTS load elements and their pervasive single-phase modularity has introduced unbalance potential in the system. Electric distribution systems under certain conditions may be stressed with the level of unbalance caused by single-phase loading. The existing resolution involves the hardware vendors providing the best balance condition possible with the load modularity involved. The residual unbalance at the platform level is addressed with reassignment of phases where possible.

The existing range of the modularity of the load groups, which could qualify for an unbalance correction, ranges approximately from 40 to 70 KW for three-phase Delta 115VAC, 60Hz loads in accordance with MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3). Submarine AC power characteristics are identified and defined by MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3). This military standard details the submarine electric system operational and interface environment, and identifies requirements for users (loads) and distribution and power control components such as power conditioning devices. Additionally, electromagnetic interference compatibility controls must be addressed in accordance with MIL-STD-461F (ref 4). If fielded, the current unbalance correction device must be compatible with the requirements contained in MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3), MIL-STD-461F (ref 4), and MIL-S-901D (ref 5) for Grade A shock.

Typical existing solutions for this issue use configuration manipulation to provide current balance to within 3%. The mismatch between existing solutions and Navy need is flexibility and size. The Navy’s need is for greater flexibility in support of timely equipment exchange and configuration upgrades. By implementing a large-scale solution for current unbalance correction in a small footprint, this technology can allow multiple systems to leverage the same larger scale power solution, reduce maintenance costs associated with upgrades, and will allow for valuable platform flexibility as equipment changes to meet ever-fluid Navy objectives throughout the life of a ship.

This project is a solution with a physical configuration that is 19-inch rack mountable, occupying no more than a four unit (7 inch) standard height profile for a 40 kW power level. The final unit must not exceed 88 lbs. in weight. Use of materials that are non-toxic or have minimum toxicity is encouraged, as the final design must be capable of integration into a submarine atmosphere. Lithium ion batteries are not an acceptable material. The correction device must be capable of accepting and outputting three-phase Delta 115 VAC nominal power in accordance with the requirements of MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3) normal voltage operating envelope identified in Table I, and graphically in figure 13 with the exception of load side current unbalance.

PHASE I: The company will develop and demonstrate a conceptual configuration for a submarine shipboard power unbalance correction system that will be mounted in a 19-inch rack mounting at 4 unit (7 inch) height for the 40kW level. The design must output three-phase Delta 115VAC 60 Hz power and operate on three-phase Delta 115VAC power input in accordance with MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3). The design must not preclude compatibility with the requirements contained in MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3) and MIL-STD-461F (ref 4), preclude passing shock testing in accordance with MIL-S-901D (ref 5) for grade A lightweight testing, or contain toxic materials or lithium ion batteries that preclude use in submarine spaces. Testing of the concept for feasibility will be completed by Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Newport Division (Rhode Island). The Phase I Option, if awarded, would include the initial layout and capabilities description to build the prototype in Phase II.

PHASE II: Based on the results presented in Phase I and the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), the small business will develop and deliver a Phase II submarine shipboard power unbalance correction system prototype which conforms to the following: fits in a 19-inch rack at 4 unit (7 inch) max height, provides 40kW operating power, functions properly with a representative 12% current unbalanced resistive load, successfully passes tests identified in MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3) and MIL-STD-461F (ref 4), and weighs no more than 88 lbs. The small business will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology for Navy production and potential commercial use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The company will be expected to support the Navy in transitioning the submarine shipboard power unbalance correction system to Navy use. Phase III will further refine a first article production unit that can undergo a full set of performance and environmental testing, including power, shock, and vibration testing. Upon successful completion of environmental testing, the first article unit will be developed for an early production sample suitable for a submarine temporary installation. The company will work with the Navy to install and test the unit on a deployed submarine. The company will comply with Submarine Temporary Alteration (TempAlt) requirements and assist the Navy in generation and approval of the TempAlt. Private Sector Commercial Potential: Power unbalance correction technology has commercial potential application in smaller power generation applications. As the scale of power generation and usage goes down, the statistical power balance seen at a large scale will reduce. Industrial buildings and even rural homes on a power generator must match generation and load balance for maximum efficiency and motor life. This technology has potential to be used in these locations.

REFERENCES:

1. Eaton Aerospace, “Technical Data TD157003EN” August 2015 http://powerquality.eaton.com/Products-services/Power-Conditioning/EVR.asp?cx=3

2. SIEMENS Transformer Case Study. “Variable Shunt Reactors for flexible grids.” April 2015. http://www.energy.siemens.com/br/pool/hq/power-transmission/Transformers/Reactors/case-study_variable-shunt-reactors-for-flexible-grids.pdf.

3. Department Of Defense Interface Standard (MIL)-STD-1399 section 300B, Electrical Power, Alternating Current, Dated 24 April 2008 http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-1300-1399/MIL-STD-1399-300B_13192/

4. Department of Defense Interface Standard (MIL)-STD-461F, Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment, Dated 10 December 2007 http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0300-0499/MIL-STD-461F_19035/

5. Military Specification (MIL)-S-901D, Shock Tests, H.I. (High-Impact) Shipboard Machinery, Equipment, and Systems, Requirements for, Dated 17 March 1989 http://everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-S/MIL-S-901D_14581/-

KEYWORDS: Submarine Power Distribution; Power Unbalance; Power Conditioning; Current Unbalance; Voltage Unbalance; Delta Power Phase Balance

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

N171-074

TITLE: Affordable, Fast-Tunable, Notch Filters at X-Band and Higher Frequencies

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Electronics, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS 2.0), SEWIP Block 2

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 fast, affordable and reliable tunable notch filters at X-band and higher frequencies for electronic warfare and military communications systems that suppress interference.

DESCRIPTION: The radio frequency spectrum has become extremely crowded in recent years due to the fast growth of wireless networks. With multiple wireless systems transmitting at closely spaced frequency allocations, communication interference is inevitable. This problem is compounded in military environments, both on land and at sea, by the close proximity of various transmitters that are constantly changing physical location, direction of transmission, and frequency. Naval vessels employ multiple transmitters covering multiple frequency bands, all closely co-located on a single, oddly shaped (in the electromagnetic sense) metal platform. The potential for inadvertent interference, either directly or through reflection of signals (and possibly from a neighboring vessel), becomes too complex to mitigate by design and placement of the transmitting antennas. Consequently, receivers must sense sudden and rapidly changing interference and respond almost instantaneously.

Although digital signal processing techniques have revolutionized modern electronic warfare (EW), radar, and communications systems, the most generally effective way to protect radio frequency (RF) receivers is to keep interference out of the receive channel. This means suppression of the interference is needed as close to the receive antenna as possible (such as at the “front end”). As future receivers strive to eliminate analog down-conversion stages prior to the analog to digital conversion stage, the requirement for front-end filtering only increases. For this purpose, high quality filters with steep band edges, deep (highly attenuated) stop bands, and low insertion loss are hard to beat in performance. High quality passive filters, a mature and proven technology, would perform interference suppression perfectly well, if only the frequency, spectral width, and power of the interferer were known and constant, which they are not.

Adequately addressing the problems presented by complex interference environments will require fast tunable, agile, X-Band notch filters (for example band-stop filters with narrow stop bandwidths). These filters must tune rapidly to the interference frequency and have high stop-band attenuation – that is, deep notches. However, complete agility requires more than tunability and attenuation. Ideally, the spectral width of the stop-band should be adjustable to some degree and the transition from stop-band to pass-band should be sharp so that desired signals are not inadvertently filtered out. Furthermore, the passband of the filter should have minimal insertion loss and linear phase shift with frequency. Finally, like all electronic components in military applications, characteristics such as reliability, temperature stability, and immunity to mechanical vibration are required. Low cost and device-to-device repeatability are crucial.

In S-Band, a great deal of progress has been made in accomplishing these goals. However, due to fundamental limitations, the tunable filter technologies most promising at S-Band have largely failed to translate to X-Band and above. Tunable filter technology that is available at X-Band is expensive and limited in one or more key performance parameters. For example, filters incorporating conventional varactors have high loss and poor linearity while micro-electronic mechanical system (MEMS)-based filters typically tune slowly. Dramatic increases in tuning speed and elimination of losses have long been known possible by the use of superconducting filter designs. However, superconducting notch filters have not demonstrated the wide tuning ranges required. Furthermore, superconducting technologies add a great deal of system complexity and are unacceptable for shipboard application.

The Navy needs an affordable, fast-tuning, agile filter technology that is fundamentally suited to higher frequencies, specifically X-Band, and shipboard environments. Target goals include full-band tuning time an order of magnitude less than current standard and a per-unit cost of under $2000. However, the filter technology should have all of the key attributes described above with tuning speed being optimized as the most important performance parameter. The other parameters of notch depth, low-loss passband transmission, and notch sharpness follow in importance, in that order. It is assumed that, if these most critical requirements can be fully achieved, some acceptable degree of stop-band width can be obtained by cascading multiple filter sections together and stagger tuning each. Likewise, the desired per-section stop-band attenuation is >40 dB, again with the assumption that this can be increased by cascading low-loss sections together. The filter technology should permit tuning across the entire frequency band (minimum of X-Band). Pass-band attenuation, as an objective, should be less than 0.3 dB.

PHASE I: The company will define and develop a concept for affordable, fast tunable, notch filters at X-band and higher frequencies per the requirements outlined in the description. The company will demonstrate the feasibility of its concept in meeting Navy needs and will establish that the concept can be feasibly and affordably produced. Feasibility will be established by some combination of initial concept design, analysis, and modeling. Affordability will be established by analysis of the proposed materials and manufacturing processes. The Phase I Option, if awarded, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype in Phase II.

PHASE II: Based on the Phase I results and the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), the company will produce and deliver prototype fast tuning, agile filters for evaluation. Evaluation will primarily be accomplished by electrical testing of prototype filters accompanied by appropriate data analysis and modeling which meet the parameters in the description. Affordability will be addressed by refining the affordability analysis performed in Phase I to reflect the knowledge gained in Phase II execution. The affordability analysis will propose best-practice manufacturing methods to prepare the filter technology for Phase III transition.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The company will be expected to support the Navy in transitioning the technology to Navy use. The company will further refine manufactured and packaged affordable, fast-tuning, agile, notch filter technology for evaluation to determine its effectiveness and reliability in an operationally relevant environment. The company will support the Navy for test and validation to certify and qualify initial production components for Navy use. Test and validation will be performed at a Navy facility or at a prime contractor facility according to Navy requirements. The final product will be produced for Navy electronic warfare systems by the company and transition to the Government through its prime contractors. Private Sector Commercial Potential: The need for agile filter technology is increasing due to the increasingly crowded electromagnetic spectrum. This is true for both military and civilian applications. Technology developed under this effort will first have additional military applications. However, commercial applications such as first responder dispatch systems and satellite communications (SATCOM) downlink stations will follow, employing the same technology but with less stringent performance requirements.

REFERENCES:

1. Guyette, Andrew "Controlled Agility.” IEEE Microwave Magazine, 15, July/August 2014: 32-42.

2. Ryan, Paul A. "High Temperature Superconducting Filter Technology for Improved Electronic Warfare System Performance.” Proc. IEEE 1997 National Aerospace and Electronics Conference (NAECON 1997), July 14-18, 1997: 392-395.

3. Wang, Jin, et al. "Varactor-Tuned Narrow-Band High Temperature Superconducting Notch Filter.” IEEE Trans. Applied Superconductivity, 24, Oct. 2014: article no. 1501104 (not paginated).

4. Attar, Sara S., et al. "Low temperature Semiconductive Tunable Bandstop Resonators and Filters.” 2010 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (MTT), May 23-28, 2010: 1376-1379.-

KEYWORDS: Agile filters; tunable notch filters; notch filters; band-stop filters; X-Band notch filters; interference suppression.

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

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Electronics, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS450 VIRGINIA Class Program Office (PMS 450)/OHIO Replacement Program Office (PMS 397)

OBJECTIVE: Develop a high power, short duration, power supply capability for submarine electrical systems enabling continuous operation through bus bar (BUS) transfers and reducing inrush current magnitude.

DESCRIPTION: To satisfy the continuous (input power) operation requirement of some critical electrical loads, submarine platforms provide two independent electrical sources. These sources are not correlated or synchronized. The existing system provides continuous power from the two independent electrical sources via power transfer switches. Transfer devices introduce approximately 70 millisecond interruptions. The Navy is in need of power hold up technology, which will provide 3-70 kW of power hold up for three-phase 115VAC, 60Hz loads during a 70-100 millisecond interruption, and limit inrush current in accordance with MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3) once power is re-applied. Submarine AC power characteristics are identified and defined by MIL-STD-1399, Section 300B (ref 3). This military standard details the submarine electric system operational and interface environment. It identifies requirements for users (loads) and power control components such as holdup devices. Additionally, electromagnetic interference compatibility controls must be addressed in accordance with MIL-STD-461F (ref 4). The Phase I concept must not preclude addressing the requirements detailed in these specifications. If fielded, the 70-100 millisecond holdup device must be compatible with the requirements contained in MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3), MIL-STD-461F (ref 4), and MIL-S-901D (ref 5).

Typical existing solutions for this issue use standard configuration Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) units with the ability to provide holdup power for many minutes. The mismatch between existing capability and Navy need is primarily size and weight. The Navy’s need is for much less holdup time and a smaller footprint. Existing UPS solutions are excessively large for the application. By implementing a right-sized solution for power interrupt resistance and inrush current reduction, this technology can replace fielded UPS systems. Allowing multiple systems to leverage the same larger scale power solution may reduce maintenance costs associated with spares, and allow valuable ship space to be freed up for capability improvements.

The deliverable of this project is a solution with a physical configuration that is 19-inch rack mountable, occupying no more than a 4 unit (7 inch) standard height profile for a mid-level power (40 kW) size unit. Use of materials that are non-toxic or have minimum toxicity is encouraged, as the final design must be capable of integration into a submarine atmosphere. Lithium ion batteries are not an acceptable material. The holdup device must be capable of accepting and outputting three-phase 115 VAC nominal power in accordance with the requirements of MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3) normal voltage operating envelope identified in Table I, and graphically in figure 13. It is anticipated that this task will involve the implementation of the latest in passive energy storage and converter technology with interface circuitry required to support the holdup function. The primary objective of this research and development effort is to implement a trade-off with the currently available excessively large and heavy UPS power time supply for a smaller lighter unit. Current military/marine UPS technology like the ruggedized Eaton FERRUPS unit, for example, provide only 1/10th of the maximum required power, over only one phase, and take up over 2 feet of height in a 19” rack. Future concept Navy need for constant power, as detailed by Petersen, Hoffman, Borraccini, and Swindler (ref 1), may provide the groundwork for solving this problem. Another focus of this effort is on compressing the UPS discharge time, without creating an inrush current issue. Alternative approaches for architectural changes in the power distribution system as a whole show promise for future concepts as well. Khushalani and Schulz (ref 2) discuss the potential for distribution optimization and islanding of loads. When used as a whole ship approach, altered distribution system philosophy may help in the future. Changing whole ship distribution for in-service and in-design platforms would be prohibitively expensive.

PHASE I: The company will develop a conceptual configuration accommodated by a 19-inch rack mounting at four unit (7 inch) height for the 40kW level and can be installed/removed by two people. The concept must feasibly provide power for 70-100 milliseconds, and limit inrush current in accordance with MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3) once power is re-applied. The design must output 3-phase 115VAC 60 Hz power and operate on 3-phase 115VAC power input in accordance with MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3). The design must not preclude compatibility with the requirements contained in MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3) and MIL-STD-461F (ref 4), preclude passing shock testing in accordance with MIL-S-901D (ref 5) for grade A lightweight testing, or contain toxic materials or lithium ion batteries that preclude use in submarine spaces. The Phase I Option, if awarded, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype in Phase II.

PHASE II: Based on the results and options presented in the Phase I effort and the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), the company will develop and deliver a Phase II prototype which conforms to the following: fits in a 19-inch rack at 4 unit (7 inch) height, provides 40kW for 70-100 milliseconds operating with a representative resistive load, successfully passes tests identified in MIL-STD-1399/300B (ref 3) and MIL-STD-461F (ref 4), and can be installed and removed by two people. Testing will be performed by NUWC Newport Division. The company will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology for Navy production and potential commercial use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The company will be expected to support the Navy in transitioning the technology to Navy use. Phase III will further refine a first article production unit to undergo a full set of performance and environmental testing, including power, shock, and vibration testing. Full environmental qualification testing (EQT) will also be conducted. Upon successful completion of EQT, the first article unit will be delivered as an early production sample suitable for a submarine temporary installation. Sector Commercial Potential: Energy storage and power distribution systems are widely used commercially for power grids in terrestrial power plants and utilities. Advanced cooling techniques will enable higher power densities and inherently safer operation of these systems.

REFERENCES:

1. Petersen, Hoffman, Borraccini, and Swindler, "Next-Generation Power and Energy: Maybe Not So Next Generation,” American Society of Naval Engineers, 2011. https://navalengineers.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/hamilton_award_papers/122_4/paper4.pdf

2. Khushalani, Surika and Schulz, Noel N. “Restoration Optimization With Distributed Generation Considering Islanding.” July 2005. http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Noel_Schulz/publication/4155523_Restoration_optimization_with_distributed_generation_considering_islanding/links/53e96ec50cf28f342f41305c.pdf.