TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics
OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a simultaneous multi-beam, multi-band capable satellite communications antenna technology. The antenna technology must present an innovative path forward for cost reduction that will contribute to an affordable resilient next generation tactical terminal with multi-beam capability. The multi-beam antenna technology should be capable of supporting multi-megabit per second connections to multiple satellites simultaneously in different types of orbit, and be easily deployed. The technology is meant to be deployed on a trailer or similar form factor and may be based on commercial processes to drive affordability. This capability when complete will support added resiliency for Army and Multi-Domain Battle (MDB) mission threads in a contested environment.
DESCRIPTION: As the technology development organization for the Army’s Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) community, the US Army Communication-Electronics Research Development & Engineering Center (CERDEC) provides research, development and engineering support to Army satellite communications. In this role, CERDEC is seeking to partner with a small business to develop a new satellite antenna capability to support communications diversity on the battlefield. The focus is on providing an affordable technology that has the potential to meet performance requirements to close multiple simultaneous connections to geosynchronous and other Wideband SATCOM systems, typically at X, Ku, and Ka bands. The antenna technology is required to be deployable on a HMMWV trailer. The antenna technology will be required to support tracking when the Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites are highly inclined, as well as satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).
PHASE I: Identify the key technologies required to support the performance and cost goals for simultaneous beams to multiple geosynchronous and other satellites. Model the technology to show how RF performance will be achieved, to include architecture, scalability approach, basic RF performance parameters, and tracking methodology. Basic performance parameters include at a minimum frequency bands supported, instantaneous bandwidth, linearity across frequency, antenna gain and side lobes, axial ratios, EIRP and G/T. Conduct initial studies to determine the cost to produce the required antenna and the feasibility of meeting requirements in Mil-Std-188-164B.
PHASE II: Design and develop a satellite antenna technology to show the feasibility of supporting simultaneous beams to multiple geosynchronous satellites (e.g. affordable phased sub-array, multi-band simultaneous feed, etc). Test and demonstrate key technologies to support an initial capability and identify areas requiring additional research and development to support the full capability. Demonstrate as many performance parameters as feasible and identify growth path to full performance. Identify key risk areas where performance, SWAP or deployment are a concern.
PHASE III: Advance key satellite antenna technologies to full capability, supporting simultaneous beams to multiple GEO, MEO, and LEO satellites. Develop full antenna system supporting both Military and Commercial SATCOM constellations, achieving added resiliency through diversity on the battlefield. The transition is to the Protected SATCOM science and technology program and PEO C3T PM Tactical Network OneNetwork program. This SBIR will result in the insertion of commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Mega-constellation technology into the Army Tactical Network.
REFERENCES: 1: Multi-Domain Battle: Evolution of Combined Arms for the 21st Century 2025-2040, Version 1.0, December 20172: Department of Defense Interface Standard Interoperability of SHF Satellite Communications Terminals, Mil-Std-188-164B, 23 March 20123: AN ANALYSIS OF MILITARY USE OF COMMERCIALSATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS, Benjamin D. Forest, September 20084: Air Force Space Command - Resiliency and Disaggregated Space Architectures White PaperKEYWORDS: Satellite Communications, Antenna, Phased Array, Affordable, Geosynchronous, Wideband, Diversity, Multi-beam, Multi-band, Low Earth Orbit, Geosynchronous Earth Orbit, Multi-Domain Battle, Resiliency
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