N092-113 TITLE: Universal Signal Matching for RF Threat Classification

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-265, Super Hornet, Hornet, and Growler, ACAT I

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: Develop robust and dynamic methods that can be applied universally to classify threats from received RF signals.

DESCRIPTION: Today’s radars have complicated pulse patterns that require more accurate approaches to ensure a robust classification of the detected signal. The goal of this project is to enhance signal matching algorithms for classifying signals received by modern digital wideband electronic warfare (EW) receiver systems. Automated methods of generating a library of threat signatures that can be applied to a variety of electronic attack (EA) platforms are also desired. To obtain the best classification possible for wideband emitter identification, the algorithms should be rigorously justified and classification decisions should incorporate all that is known about the potential matches as well as uncertainty known to exist in measurements. It is expected that there should be a reduction of effort in the characterization of digital receivers as well as in threat library generation across multiple platforms.

Existing EW processor algorithms and library generation are time proven approaches but require significant modifications to compensate for any changes in operational characteristics (threat systems, receivers, EW platform). New innovative methods developed under this topic would need to minimize the requirement for significant modifications and demonstrate that the risk associated with these changes is minimal.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of developing the proposed mathematical theory and provide justification for the proposed algorithms. Demonstrate proof of concept code for testing simulated signals.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate algorithms against a test set of simulated EW signals. The algorithms should be capable of near real-time performance and should demonstrate a marked improvement in performance in comparison to existing methods. The concept may be tested against simulated signals that mimic the properties of actual EW systems, allowing for an unclassified test environment. Successful completion of Phase II will demonstrate an automated generation of threat signature library, and an accurate classification of a simulated EW signal to the threat signature library.

Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DoD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advanced phases of this contract.

PHASE III: Demonstrate the algorithms alongside the performance of existing digital receiver software. Apply the technology on digital EW receivers to demonstrate the reduction in ambiguity, the robustness of the methods, and the time/cost savings.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: Signal classification has many potential applications including speech recognition, communication analysis tools, medical engineering, and robotics. Software developed could be used in RF test equipment.

REFERENCES:
1. Duda, R.O.; Hart, P.E.; & Stork, D.G.; "Pattern Classification," 2nd ed., Wiley, 2000

2. Hero, A.O.I; Castañón, D.A.; Cochran, D.; Kastella, K.;(Eds.) "Foundations and Applications of Sensor Management (Signals and Communication Technology)," Springer, 2008

KEYWORDS: Electronic Attack; Digital Receivers; Signal Classification; Mission Libraries; Algorithms; Electronic Warfare

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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