Massively Parallel Refractive Environment Predictor Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Topic No.: N142-120 Topic Title: Massively Parallel Refractive Environment Predictor Proposal No.: N142-120-0112 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Applied Technologies Division 1845 West 205th Street Torrance, California 90501 Contact: Shahzad Khalid Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy's need for a high resolution refractive profile for high fidelity prediction of shipboard electromagnetic wave propagation environments, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Massively Parallel Refractive Environment Predictor (MPREP). This proposed system is based on a new design that uses fine-grain parallelism in the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) numerical weather prediction model and recent advancements in graphics processing unit (GPU) technologies. An innovative new system design with customized hardware and software will enable the MPREP system to forecast in near real time the refractivity of the environment around a ship to a range of 32 nautical miles. As a result, this system enables software routines, such as the Advanced Refractive Effects Prediction System (AREPS), to predict electromagnetic wave propagation with high fidelity to support prediction of radar, electronic warfare, and communication system operation, directly addressing the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of MPREP by providing details of hardware and software designs, along with benchmark code and measurement results. In Phase II, POC plans to build a prototype system at a Technology Readiness Level of 5 to demonstrate and validate the MPREP design. Benefits: MPREP technology will be extremely useful for a number of tactical decision aids, including radar probability of detection; electronic surveillance measure (ESM) vulnerability; and UHF/VHF communications as a function of height, range, and bearing. It will also be beneficial for a number of commercial applications including commercial ships for communication, surveillance, and weather sensing using radar, commercial ship navigation, and severe weather forecasting. Return