TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Materials/Processes, Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 265 F/A-18 Hornet

OBJECTIVE: Develop dielectric materials and three-dimensional RF packaging technology for the quadrature Linear Amplification Using Non-Linear Components (LINC) architecture in the UHF through L-Band frequency range for airborne platforms.

DESCRIPTION: Targets of opportunity for improving linear amplification include: 1) architectural changes, 2) advancements in devices and 3) materials & packaging improvements. Recent advances in linear power amplifier architectural design, using LINC, has shown improvements in both linearity and efficiency (size, weight and power) [1]. This iniative focuses on the advances that could be made to improve the linearity and efficiency of this technology by advances in 3-D packaging and materials. Significant improvements in performance could be obtained that will facilitate highly efficient linear operations in a small compact enclosure necessary to support other platforms such as hand held radios, space constrained platforms, and UAVs. The parameters include, but are not limited to: 1) tightly controlled dielectric substrates, 2) low loss tangent dielectrics (tan d), 3) controlled 3-D geometrics and, 4) proper grounding. The improved packaging and material development should not degrade the QUAD LINC power 30 amplifier performance.

PHASE I: Develop models to emulate realistic parasitics for the 3-D board design using computer simulations, analytic or experimental results for the Quad LINC architecture.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype of the new optimized 3-D materials and packaging design for a push pull power amplifier Quad LINC architecture. Demonstrate the improved operational performance.

PHASE III: Demonstrate the operation of the Quad LINC power amplifier architecture in a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and/or F-18 aircraft operating on an active network. Transition technology to applicable naval aviation platforms.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: New highly efficient linear amplifiers will support all spectrums of communications, from radios to cell phones to wireless networks. The technology has unlimited applications.

REFERENCES:
1. Gamal M. Hegazi, Thanh T. Chu, and Richard A. Groshong, Improved LINC Power Transmission Using a Quadrature Outphasing Technique, 2005

2. Lahteenmaki, J.; Miettinen, J.; Heino, P.; "The design of miniature 3D RF module"; Electronic Components and Technology, 2005. ECTC '05. Proceedings
31 May-3 June 2005 Page(s):814 - 817 Vol. 1.

KEYWORDS: Linear Amplification Using Non-Linear Components; Dielectric Substrates; Three Dimensional (3-D) RF Packaging; L-Band; Amplifier; Communications

TPOC: (301)995-8751
2nd TPOC: (301)342-9094

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between May 1, 2006 and June 13, 2006, you may talk directly with the Topic Author(s) to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed above. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting June 14, 2006 , when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

However, proposers may still submit written questions about solicitation topics through the SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS), in which the questioner and respondent remain anonymous and all questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing until the solicitation closes. All proposers are advised to monitor SITIS (06.2 Q&A) during the solicitation period for questions and answers, and other significant information, relevant to the SBIR 06.2 topic under which they are proposing.

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