TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT (TPOC)
Dr. Arje Nachman
Michael Yakes
PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT
Level 2 (Self)
TECHNOLOGY AREAS
Battlespace
|
Information Systems
|
Sensors
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Integrated Sensing and Cyber
KEYWORDS
Counter Adversarial GPS Jamming; Exceptional-Point Stochastic Resonance
OBJECTIVE
Developing a general, effective, and robust antijamming framework for GPS signals is a problem of critical importance. This topic seeks proposals that utilize exceptional-point stochastic resonance and modern machine learning to overcome the vulnerabilities of GPS signals to strong adversarial jamming and spoofing. This will ultimately enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for weak signals and maintain the operational readiness of the Air Force.
ITAR
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 3.5 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.
DESCRIPTION
Military and commercial missions rely heavily on the Global Positioning System (GPS), but GPS signals, due to their weak intensity and their need to travel considerable distances, are vulnerable to external interference such as jamming and spoofing. Adversarial jamming can be strong in that its amplitude can be orders of magnitude larger than that of the GPS signal, and they share the same spectral band. Various methods based mostly on traditional signal-processing techniques, such as filtering or wavelet transform, were proposed to mitigate GPS jamming to a certain extent. Often, the effectiveness of a specific method depends on the type of jamming signals in terms of their waveform, amplitude, and frequency range.
GPS antijamming is essentially a nonlinear signal prediction and classification problem. For nonlinear signal prediction, a possible solution is exploiting modern machine learning, where a suitable neural-network architecture trained with features of the desired signals views the jamming as undesired and removes them. However, the inevitable noise represents a difficulty when employing machine learning to predict the GPS waveform and navigation signal, which can significantly degrade the antijamming capability. In nonlinear dynamical systems, the counterintuitive phenomenon of stochastic resonance (references 1 & 3) has been well established, where the signal-to-noise ratio for a weak signal can be enhanced by tuning the noise amplitude. This opens the possibility of enhancing the GPS signal through the stochastic-resonance mechanism.
PHASE I
This is a Direct to Phase 2 (D2P2) topic. Phase I proposals will not be evaluated and Phase I awards will not be made under this topic.. The offeror is required to provide detail and documentation in the Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a Phase I-type effort, including a feasibility study. For this D2P2 topic, the offeror should have accomplished the following in a Phase I-type effort via some other means. The offeror must have developed a concept for a workable prototype or design to address at a minimum the basic capabilities of the stated objective above. Proposal must show, as appropriate to the proposed effort, a demonstrated technical feasibility to meet the capabilities of the stated objective. Proposal may provide example cases of this new capability on a specific application. The documentation provided must demonstrate that the offeror has developed a preliminary understanding of the technology to be applied in their Phase II proposal to meet the objectives of this topic. Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to, technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Feasibility documentation cannot be based solely upon or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
PHASE II
In an era of critical GPS technology, the security and safeguard of satellite navigation signals are at the forefront of national and military interest. And, as GPS signals become more integrated into essential infrastructure, the growing vulnerability of adversarial jamming prompts the need to bolster GPS resilience with innovative proposals and cutting-edge research. Stimulating and supporting basic research for GPS antijamming efforts holds the promise to advance the technological capabilities and operational readiness of the Department of Air Force.
Previous research explored the potential of higher-order exceptional points, uncovering a broad type of stochastic resonance where the system's response to a signal is enhanced by the presence of noise. As the noise amplitude increases, the SNR reaches a global maximum, suggesting that higher order exceptional points can sustain high performance over a wide range of noise levels. The ability to achieve a high SNR with minimal performance decay paves the way for the development of robust and reliable signal processing and sensor technology.
Proposals in antijamming and counter measuring GPS technology would exploit the exceptional-point features design for the development of next generation sensors and communication systems both sensitive and resilient to GPS disruptions and jamming. In signal processing paradigms, robust systems that maintain high quality signal transmission, in the presence of adversarial interference, drives innovative solutions for the challenges and needs of the Department of Air Force's operational readiness.
The technical merit of GPS antijamming research lies in the adaptability and efficiency of integrated sensing and cyber capabilities that remain robust under varying noise and interference levels. This would directly enhance the operational readiness and technological capabilities of the Department of Air Force, and the warfighter.
Offeror must develop and demonstrate a user-friendly computer program prototype that can be inserted into a GSP anti-jamming system.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
The integration of higher-order exceptional features into commercial technologies offers the promise of reliable, efficient, dynamical systems across a broad spectrum of industrial and military processes. In industrial sectors like manufacturing and logistics, efforts would improve the resilience of sensors, ensuring that they remain responsive and resilient to external interferences.
Potential research would also address the critical DoD areas in weak signal processing; a facet central to the GPS. Extracting weak signals in strong jamming/noise is a poised challenge to the GPS, magnetometer and numerous communication systems significant to commercial and DoD domains. Successful research in this domain promises the protection of aircraft and long-range vehicle capabilities, particularly in enhancing the accuracy of flight data, reduction of signal disruption risks and advancement of autonomous flight systems in the aerospace ecosystem.
As these advancements are realized, aircraft would adapt swiftly to changes in signal processing flight conditions, enhancing the overall readiness of flight operations: protection of commercial airline usage of GPS.
REFERENCES
C.-Z. Wang, L.-W. Kong, J.-J. Jiang, and Y.-C. Lai. Machine learning-based approach to GPS antijamming, GPS Solutions 25, 115, 1-12 (2021).
L. Gammaitoni, P. Hanggi, P. Jung, and F. Marchesoni, Stochastic resonance, Rev. Mod. Phys. 70, 223-287 (1998).
S. Panahi, L.-L. Ye, and Y.-C. Lai, Higher-order exceptional points and stochastic resonance in pseudo-Hermitian systems, Phys. Rev. Appl. 22, 054063, 1-14 (2024).
J. B.-Y. Tsui, Fundamentals of Global Positioning System Receivers: A Software Approach, John Wiley & Sons, 2005.
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