Air force 14. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions

PHASE I: Quantify the theoretical dependencies of ADC sample rate and dynamic range on resolution, SNR, gain, and tracking ability in various radar configurations. Evaluate sampling multiple times per pulse using various waveforms and the impact on single pulse Doppler determination, cross-correlation, unambiguous range, de-ghosting, multi-path discrimination, and electronic protection.

PHASE II: Develop parameter assessment tool which helps acquisition community predict performance. Assess which sampling techniques for transmitted and received waveforms are compatible with various radar architectures. Evaluate various acquisition board architectures which can keep pace with bandwidth and sample rate improvements. Recommend novel architecture designs which will allow rapid insertion of faster ADC, data bus, and processor technology taking into account SWAP-C for airborne radar.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Construct a prototype system (hardware and analysis software) and validate in production representative environment. Follow-on activities include specific application integration and creation of any customer-unique requirements and documentation. Develop commercialization plan and market analysis.

REFERENCES:

1. ADC - Analog to Digital Converter (Basic) [ADC_BASIC], http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/genesys200801/elements/system/adc_basic.htm.

3. Introduction to RF Stealth, David Lynch Jr., SciTech Publishing, 2004, p. 492.

AF141-190 TITLE: SATCOM Wideband Digital Channelized Receiver with Low-cost Silicon Technology

OBJECTIVE: Develop a low cost, silicon-based wideband receiver that down-converts and digitizes multiple satellite bands simultaneously for digital multi-channel decoding to boost throughput and reception quality.

DESCRIPTION: Current satellite communications (SATCOM) systems such as Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) [1] requires multiple channel radio frequency (RF) receivers to decode and are therefore bulky and high cost. Recent research [2][3][4] focuses on the superconductor based, mixed-signal data converter to achieve high sample rate digitization in the satellite front-end. However such systems are expensive and bulky due to the use of cooling. There are also other all-digital approaches [5] available, by focusing primarily on the digital processing; however, they do not offer an integrated, low-cost solution.
This SBIR is looking for a system that reduces the number of channels in the RF receiver into a wideband receiver and down-converts and digitizes all channels with an integrated compact digitizer using low-cost silicon technology. This topic will support WGS or its successor - the channels will not be coherent with respect to each other. The 2 Gsps is a stretch from the present 400 MHz capability but is a goal. The required effective number-of-bits (ENOB) threshold for this sampling rate is 10 bits. References are listed for state-of-the-art analog-to-digital converter parts with an ENOB of 10 bits and sample rate greater than 2 Giga-samples per second (GSps) [6,7]. The goal is to reduce size, weight, and power (SWAP) and provide enhanced capabilities to the following digital baseband and MAC processing to utilize the simultaneously down-converted digital channels to enhance throughput and/or reception quality. In addition, requirements on part reliability to enable a 15-year mean mission duration is needed; needing a total radiation tolerance > 30 krad (Si). A holistic approach that utilizes signal processing to enhance the digitization with high bit resolution and high sample rate > 2 Gsps is desired. References are provided for state-of-the-art commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) analog-to-digital converters with ENOBs of 10 bits and sample rate greater than 2 Gsps [6,7]. Such holistic approach may include sophisticated digital calibration using blind source separation or equalization. The proposed system should be mode-agnostic, e.g., communications on the move or communications at the halt over wideband satellite communication channels.

PHASE I: Investigate circuit, architecture, and processing algorithms to determine the feasibility of producing a wideband digital channelized receiver.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype wideband digital channelized receiver.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Military Application: directly digitize an entire block of satellite bands for various military systems such as advanced extremely high frequency (AEHF), WGS, and GBS. Commercial Application: satellite set-top boxes that enable simultaneous tuning of multiple channels.

REFERENCES:

1. L. Wang and D. Ferguson, "WGS Air-Interface for AISR Missions," IEEE 2007 MILCOM.

e.g.#1: EV10AS150B-EB EV10AS150-EB 10-bit 2.6Gsps ADC with 1:2/4 DMUX evaluation board

e.g.#2: EV10AS152A-EB EV10AS152-EB 10-bit 3Gsps ADC with 1:2/4 DMUX evaluation board.
7. From TI Devices: (http://www.ti.com/lsds/ti/data-converters/high-speed-adc-greater-than-1gsps -products.page#p84=10;12&p1089=2000000000;5000000000)

e.g.#1: ADC12D1800RF - 12-Bit, 1.8/3.6 GSPS RF sampling ADC

e.g.#2: ADC12D1600RF - 12-Bit, 2.0/3.2 GSPS RF sampling ADC.
KEYWORDS: satellite communications, wideband, RF, digital receiver, down-converter

AF141-191 This topic has been removed from the solicitation.

AF141-192 TITLE: Affordable E-band Radiation Hardened Mixed Mode Microelectronics
KEY TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): 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. Kristina Croake, kristina.croake@us.af.mil.

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate affordable E-band (71-76 and 81-86 GHz) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) suitable for satellite communications application.

DESCRIPTION: Over several decades advances in miniaturization have caused breakthroughs in digital microelectronics (notably ADCs and DACs), which promote system-on-chip (SoC) solutions to radio frequency (RF) analog and digital functionality. The recent rapid integration of mixed-mode microelectronics has enabled communications systems programmability through software or software radio (SR) to increasingly displace conventional hardware-based radio systems. While satellite designers are typically confronted with a set of ambitious payload performance requirements, limited launch vehicle lift capability constrains the payload size, weight and power consumption. Improvements in affordable mixed mode microelectronics device performance offer one means of implementing SR, increasing the level of functionality of future generations of communications satellites while meeting budget constraints. Challenges facing analog/mixed signal integrated circuit designers include higher bandwidth and frequency ratios, form factor, power consumption, and die area. Satellite communications (SATCOM) mixed-mode applications are particularly acute in the area of front end processing. E-band (71-76, 81-86 GHz) wireless systems offer higher data rates and long distance transmissions suitable for SATCOM. The goals of this topic are to develop ADCs and DACs to support RF front ends that downconvert to baseband for SR in space applications. The specifications for these circuits include space-qualified ADCs or DACs that operate up to 1 GHz input bandwidth, resolution up to 12 bits, effective number of bits (ENOB) of 9 bits at 1 GHz, extended operating temperature range (-40 to +80 deg. C), and 1 Mrad(Si) total dose radiation tolerance. A trade study should include potential cost, size, weight and power (C-SWAP) reductions for application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) development over commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) approach. Additional objectives include improved power efficiency, increased bandwidth, reduced microcircuit footprint, reduced noise, and enhanced reliability.

PHASE I: This phase will perform a trade study on novel ADCs and DACs radiation-hardened architectures. Design and demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating radiation-hardened ADCs and DACs for insertion into an E-band RF-front end. Conduct modeling and simulation where appropriate to validate design.

PHASE II: Fabricate prototype ADCs and DACs and characterize for relevant metrics, including power consumption, radiation hardness, bandwidth, and mean time to failure through accelerated life testing.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Military: Communications/navigation satellites, avionics and ground terminals. Commercial: Commercial satellites, commercial avionics, and wireless telecommunications.

REFERENCES:

1. T. Okamura, C. Kurioka, Y. Kuraishi, O.Tsuzuki, T. Senba, M. Ushirozawa, and M. Fujimaru, “10-GHz Si Bipolar Amplifier and Mixer IC's for Coherent Optical Systems,” IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 27, pp. 1775-1779, Dec. 1992.

AF141-193 TITLE: V-Band Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier with Extended Output Power

OBJECTIVE: Develop a space-qualifiable traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA) operating at 71 to 76 GHz, capable of providing at least 100 Watts of output power and suitable for long term geostationary earth orbit (GEO) missions.

DESCRIPTION: Providing warfighters with a comprehensive understanding of battlefield situational awareness depends on the timely delivery of the Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (AISR) data. With proliferation of new generations of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms capable of hosting satellite communications payloads, it is becoming increasingly advantageous to access additional spectrum in the millimeter wave region to transfer high resolution AISR data between UAVs and satellites. The development of a new generation of high power TWTAs capable of accessing spectrum between 71 and 76 GHz will enable a high data rate downlink from a satellite located in geostationary earth orbit (GEO) to ground sites. The GEO satellite can be a high data rate relay for beyond the line-of-sight (BLOS) communications between users and one or more UAVs loitering above the weather. The Air Force is interested in developing a new set of power amplifiers capable of supporting future generations of bandwidth efficient modulation waveforms, as well as allowing access to spectrum in the 71 to 76 GHz range. Aside from raising the output power, the TWTA design should strive to optimize self interference, adjacent channel interference, effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP), and output backoff. Goals include the capability to support 12/4 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) with 30 dB suppression and no more than 3 dB amp backoff, and an objective of 32 QAM, 36 Db suppression, with 3 dB amp backoff; power added efficiency (PAE) > 50 percent, operating temperature range -40° to + 80° C, space qualification, and radiation hardening goals of a total dose tolerance up to 1 Mrad (Si).

PHASE I: Develop a TWTA design consistent with goals and objectives identified above. Validate design the modeling and simulation.

PHASE II: Fabricate one or more prototypes and characterize for all relevant performance parameters including frequency bandwidth, PAE, and EIRP.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Military TWTA applications include space- and terrestrial-based radio frequency (RF) bandwidth efficient communications. Commercial TWTA applications include avionics, space and terrestrial RF applications where high data rates and bandwidth efficiency are needed.

REFERENCES:

1. A. Katz, R. Gray, and R. Dorval, “Performance of Microwave and Millimeter Wave Power Modules (MPMs) with Linearization,” in Proc. 2005 IEEE Military Communications Conf., Atlantic City, Oct. 17–20, 2005, pp. 2693–2699.

AF141-194 TITLE: Noise Canceling Rad Hard Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Low Noise Amplifier

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative techniques to minimize noise introduced during the signal amplification in satellite low-noise amplifiers (LNA) operating between 20.2 to 21.2 GHz.

DESCRIPTION: Signal noise poses a significant challenge to long-distance satellite communications, impacting bit error rates, the level of transmitter radiated power required to close the link, and, indirectly, the payload size, weight and power. Ongoing research in noise cancellation has demonstrated the use of noise cancellation to enhance noise performance. The purpose of this topic is to develop innovative low-noise amplifier (LNA) design techniques to cancel and otherwise minimize noise introduced during the signal amplification process. Typically, each receive module has a LNA and a phase shifter that have been integrated into one, or more, Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs). In order to increase receiver sensitivity while reducing the power dissipation of the receiver, there is a critical need to minimize additional noise introduced by the LNA while maximizing power efficiency. While the dissipation in the LNA is a small fraction of the prime power consumption, the receive antenna generally remains powered at all times, thus the power consumption in the receiver represents a critical power drain. Excessive LNA power increases heat-load, which in turn, increases the required cooling of the receive phased array antenna. Because LNAs play a critical role in high data rate satellite warfighter communications, the Air Force is interested in sponsoring noise canceling research to both reduce noise figure and power consumption with the prerequisite linearity to support bandwidth efficient modulation waveforms like 16-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM). This topic is intended to support research exploring the best approach to achieving noise canceling with optimum linearity (measured by the output third-order intercept point, or OIP3, across the frequency of operation) and demonstrate the level of performance that can be achieved in low-noise amplifiers for satellite application at 20.2 to 21.2 GHz. Goals include noise figure (NF) <1.5 dB, small signal gain >30 dB, low power consumption, high linearity, operating temperature range -40 to +80 deg C, and 1 Mrad(Si) total dose radiation tolerance.

PHASE I: Perform trade study of device technologies for low-noise amplifiers at 20.2 to 21.2 GHz. Design and demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating EHF LNA. Conduct modeling and simulation where appropriate to validate design.

PHASE II: Fabricate one or more prototype EHF LNA devices and characterize for operating band, small signal gain, noise figure, operating temperature range, and radiation characteristics.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Military: Military applications include terrestrial wireless communications, avionics, and satellite communications. Commercial: Commercial applications include wireless communications, avionics, and telematics.