TECHNOLOGY FOCUS AREA: Microelectronics; Network Command, Control and Communications TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors; General Warfighting Requirements (GWR) ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Joint Threat Warning System OBJECTIVE: The objective of this effort is to conduct a feasibility study to develop a capability by which a series of Radio Frequency antennas and access to these antennas can be electrically distributed among a series of Radio Frequency receivers/transmitters in a manner in which the Radio Frequency receiver connected to the antenna distribution system can be connected to any of the antennas connected to the distribution system quickly and efficiently. DESCRIPTION: Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel operate a number of mobility platforms and frequently establish fixed deployment sites where a number of Radio Frequency systems must be installed for use in support SOF operations. This results in a requirement for numerous antennas designed to work in different sections of the Radio Frequency spectrum to be installed. This is typically done with each available receiver/transmitter planned for the operation in mind being connected to a single antenna, the design of which is optimized for operation in the section of the spectrum for which the associated receivers/transmitters are configured to operate. This does not support flexibility of the Radio Frequency sensing system. In cases where receivers/transmitters must be reconfigured to operate in different frequency ranges, cables must be reconnected and often new antennas installed in an effort to meet ever changing mission requirements. This often results in a lack of equipment needed to make necessary changes and delay in reconfiguration which may affect the ability to support emergent SOF missions. PHASE I: Conduct a study to determine the technical feasibility of developing a system that will allow multiple radio receivers/transmitters to access multiple antennas with configuration and reconfiguration accomplished by remote means. USSOCOM has a requirement to distribute Radio Frequency energy received by a number of antennas, each of which is designed to operate optimally in a specific section of the Radio Frequency spectrum, to different Radio Frequency receivers/transmitters, each of which will be configured to operate in a specific section of the Radio Frequency spectrum. Additionally, the requirement is for the receivers/transmitters to be able to retune and switch between antennas for periodic use of any of the antennas connected to the distribution network. The general requirement for this SBIR topic is to enable a series of receivers/transmitters to access various antennas, each designed to operate most efficiently in a specific section of the Radio Frequency spectrum, electrically, electronically or mechanically by a remote operator using control software. The Offeror shall develop a means by which a series of Radio Frequency antennas, each optimized for performance within a specific section of the Radio Frequency spectrum, can be accessed by a series of Radio Frequency receivers / transmitters: Antennas shall be proposed by the Offeror with the primary focus being electrical performance of each individual antenna. Size, weight and Power consumption (SWaP) are also under consideration as a secondary attribute of each antenna. Receivers/transmitters hardware shall be proposed by the Offeror. It shall be fully compatible with each proposed antenna. This technology pursuit is to develop a method by which each receiver/transmitter in a series can be remotely, a method that does not require touch maintenance , configured to operate with any of the proposed antennas. There may be cases where more than one receiver/transmitter must access a single antenna and each time this occurs, the secondary receivers/transmitters shall automatically be configured for receive only. This topic automates the reconfiguration process necessary to attach receivers/transmitters to different antennas from its current manual labor method. A final feasibility study report and preliminary design shall be delivered to allow Government acquisition officials the opportunity to make future acquisition decisions on a fully informed basis. The objective of this USSOCOM Phase I SBIR effort is to conduct and document the results of a thorough feasibility study ( Technology Readiness Level 3 ) to investigate what is in the art of the possible within the given trade space that will satisfy a needed technology. The feasibility study should investigate all options that meet or exceed the minimum performance parameters specified in this write up. It should also address the risks and potential payoffs of the innovative technology options that are investigated and recommend the option that best achieves the objective of this technology pursuit. The funds obligated on the resulting Phase I SBIR contracts are to be used for the sole purpose of conducting a thorough feasibility study using scientific experiments and laboratory studies as necessary. Operational prototypes will not be developed with USSOCOM SBIR funds during Phase I feasibility studies. Operational prototypes developed with other than SBIR funds that are provided at the end of Phase I feasibility studies will not be considered in deciding what firm(s) will be selected for Phase II. PHASE II: Develop, install, and demonstrate a prototype system determined to be the most feasible solution during the Phase I feasibility study on an Antenna Distribution System. The prototype will be tested with sensors currently in the SOF inventory to determine level of performance and in an attempt to make the test articles ready for testing in a pseudo-operational environment. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: This system could be used in a broad range of military applications where radio devises are used. For example, this antenna distribution system could provide a means by which communications devices on a mobility platform, such as an airplane or ship, could make use or an antenna distribution system to reduce the requirement for a number of individual antennas currently required on the platform. In this case, limited physical space can be opened up to other devices as antennas are removed due to the distribution system providing the capability to map specific radios to specific antennas remotely when the connection is needed. This capability can easily be applied to sensor systems such as those used to detect distant RADAR systems or unknown radio transmitters. Upon completion of a successful demonstration of this capability with radio sensors, other Methods of Employment such as RADAR detection of communications support can be tested. REFERENCES: Technical Standard for Sensor Open System Architecture (SOSA) Reference Architecture, Edition 1 Version 3 Copyright 2020. This document is valid through 28 February 2021: https://publications.opengroup.org/standards/sosa
