TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS)

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a Link-16 receiver capable of simultaneously receiving 4 nets and scalable to more

DESCRIPTION: Link-16 is the workhorse multi-national, interoperable tactical data link for DoD and Coalition combat operations worldwide. Due to the critical need for secure, interoperable data communications, multiple Link-16 TDMA shared, frequency-hopping nets are operational in every theater of operation. The analog RF front-end designs currently limit each unit to receive a single net, forcing federated designs for multi-channel Link-16 terminals and monitoring systems. The currently planned Modernization of Link-16 program envisions Concurrent Mutli-Net (CMN) Operations. Terminals will be required to support at least 4 nets operating simultaneously.
This topic seeks innovations in multi-net hardware in order to provide an affordable solution for a 4-simultaneous -net Link-16 receiver. The solution must be scalable to a higher number (10’s) of nets to meet future requirements. Responses proposing straightforward extensions of current hardware solutions will not be considered acceptable. The preferred solution will replace the current analog L-band RF components, including the hopping LO, with a direct to digital, wideband front end, followed by digital circuits to separate and dehop the overlapping signals. Of particular interest are solutions that also allow the entire Link-16 network to be monitored by one integrated unit.

PHASE I: Develop a receiver architecture design for a multi-net Link-16 receiver. If a hardware demonstrator cannot be built on the budget of a phase 1 and in the first 6 months, the proposer shall complete and submit a credible estimation of the performance, size, power consumption, and cost of imagined hardware.

PHASE II: Build and demonstrate a prototype 4-net receiver. Deliver a 4-net receiver for test and evaluation by PMW150.

PHASE III: Develop multi-net Link-16 receivers and network monitor products.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology will find use in commercial satellite and wireless communications.

REFERENCES:
1. "Understanding Link 16, A Guidelines for United States Navy and United States Marine Corps Operators", September 2004.
2. "System Segment Specification for the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low-Volume Terminal and Ancillary Equipment", 30 April 2002
3. "CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT FOR Tactical Data Link (TDL) Transformation", 22 January 2004

KEYWORDS: Multi-Net; Receiver; Link-16; Tactical; Data; Links

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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