Multiple Sensor Platform for High Power Microwave Field Mapping

TECH FOCUS AREAS: Directed Energy TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors OBJECTIVE: This topic seeks to model, design, build and demonstrate a transportable, passive (non-field perturbing) pulsed Electromagnetic (EM) field measurement device with an array architecture expandable to 100 simultaneous nodes that can measure electric fields as low as 27.5 volts/meter up to air breakdown, magnetic fields as low at 0.0729 Amperes/meter up to air breakdown, a frequency bandwidth of 100 kiloHertz (kHz) to 20 GigaHertz (GHz) and a pulse width resolution as low as 1 nanosecond. DESCRIPTION: High power electromagnetic field measurements are critical to characterizing transmitter output power, antenna pattern and temporal stability. A sensor system capable of non-perturbing (passive) measurement that can provide more that 100 sensor node spatially distributed measurements while achieving electric field sensitivity from 27.5 volts/meter up to air breakdown and magnetic fields from 0.0729 Amperes/meter up to air breakdown is required for this topic. Additionally, the device should measure fields over a bandwidth of 100 kHz to 20 GHz with a pulse width resolution of 1 nanosecond. The sensor system should also be reasonably portable for transport to test facilities throughout the world. Previous experience has shown the difficulty of collecting field maps of test systems during routine developmental test activities. Extensive maps are critical to determine risk profiles for electromagnetic interference or bioeffects prediction. Deployment of a large number of simultaneous measurement nodes will allow collection of significant field maps during limited test shots. PHASE I: This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II. Therefore, a Phase I award is not required. The offeror is required to provide detail and documentation in the Direct to Phase II proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a Phase I-like effort, including a feasibility study. This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial potential. It must have validated the product-market fit between the proposed solution and a potential AF stakeholder. The offeror should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution and the AF customer. Offerors should demonstrate they have designed passive (non-perturbing) measurement equipment for use in an industrial or military environments and provide past test or modeling and simulation results as evidence they can meet the requirement of the topic. PHASE II: Eligibility for D2P2 is predicated on the offeror having performed a Phase I-like effort predominantly separate from the SBIR/STTR Programs. Offerors will build, test, and demonstrate a prototype system providing up to 100 measurement channels and meets the sensitivity requirements of the topic, as well as collaborate with the government to prove sensitivity of the measurement equipment in a laboratory environment. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Military applications of this technology will include profiling radar and communications emitters in a variety of environments. Commercial applications include mapping fields around Radiofrequency (RF) emitting equipment and mapping of static and gradient magnetic fields in MRI machines. NOTES: 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 proposed tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement 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 Air Force SBIR/STTR Help Desk: usaf.team@afsbirsttr.us REFERENCES: IEEE C95.3TM-2002 - Measurements and Computations of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields with Respect to Human Exposure to Such Fields, 100 kHz-300 GHz KEYWORDS: Electric Field Detection; Magnetic Field Detection; Field Mapping; Electro-optic sensors