N121-015 TITLE: Minimum-time optimization of in-situ antenna performance

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 234

OBJECTIVE: Develop an optimization design tool that will work in conjunction with the Method of Moments (MoM) to restore on-platform antenna properties in minimum time.

DESCRIPTION: The performance of antennas can be improved substantially through the use of optimization methods [1], [2]. This is especially true when an antenna is initially designed either in free space or over a ground plane and eventually mounted on a geometrically and materially complex platform. The in-situ performance of an antenna may not only be inferior to that intended, but also interfere with the performance of other, nearby antennas. Optimization can also be used in designing antennas in situ as, for example, structurally embedded antennas.

Antenna characteristics can be restored and even reconfigured (in case of interference) using optimization methods that perturb the geometry and materials of an antenna under given constraints. These methods require the use of a computational electromagnetics (CEM) code. We are interested in the method of moments (MoM) [3], one of the principal CEM methods for analyzing and designing antennas in the frequency domain. As is well known, MoM involves the solution of a dense system of linear algebraic equations. The solution of the system can be very time consuming. For this reason, we are seeking methods that engage the MoM code as few times as possible and minimize its execution time. We also assume that we are near enough an optimum so as to be able to use deterministic optimization methods, to the exclusion of stochastic and, in general, metaheuristic ones [2].

Innovative optimization techniques that minimize the time penalty inherent in solving the MoM system of equations are sought. The final product should be a software package that can communicate with CEM MoM solvers (to be specified by NAVAIR), run on a single CPU and on CPU clusters, and take advantage of all cores and GPUs present. Emphasis should be placed on the total time required to reach an optimization level rather than the time it takes to perform a single iteration. An intelligent graphical user interface (GUI) should guide the user through the optimization process. Proposal should exhibit solid evidence of the team�s expertise in optimization and contain only one optimization approach.

PHASE I: Prototype in Matlab (or any other computing environment) the proposed optimization approach. Apply the method to one or more antenna problems, mutually agreed upon with NAVAIR. Prepare detailed plan for its implementation. Consult with NAVAIR as to the MoM codes of interest and GUI requirements and incorporate the results of the discussions in the plan.

PHASE II: Refine and convert the plan developed in Phase I into an engineering tool, including optimization computation engine, GUI, and interface to Navy CEM codes. Validate the tool on cases of interest to NAVAIR. Make necessary arrangements to commercialize the tool either in partnership with another company or alone and seek potential sponsors.

PHASE III: Refine tool developed in Phase II either alone or in partnership with another company. Port the tool to clusters of CPUs and CPU/GPUs.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Antenna in-situ performance and cosite interference are problems common to both military and commercial aircraft. This package will find equal use in commercial avionics as in military ones.

REFERENCES:
1. Bonnans, J.F., Gilbert, J.C., Lemaréchal, C., Sagastizábal, C.A. (2006). Numerical optimization: Theoretical and practical aspects. Universitext (Second revised ed. of translation of 1997 French ed.). Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

2. Horst, R., Pardalos, P.M., and Thoai, N.V. (2000) Introduction to Global Optimization, Second Edition. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

3. Kolundzija, B. M., & Djordjevic, A. R. (2002). Electromagnetic Modeling of Composite Metallic and Dielectric Structures. Artech House.

KEYWORDS: GUI; optimization; Computational electromagnetics; antennas; method of moments; CPU/GPU clusters

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between November 9 and December 11, 2011, you may talk directly with the Topic Authors 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 December 12, 2011, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

However, proposers may still submit written questions about solicitation topics through the DoD's 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 (12.1 Q&A) during the solicitation period for questions and answers, and other significant information, relevant to the SBIR 12.1 topic under which they are proposing.

If you have general questions about DoD SBIR program, please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk at (866) 724-7457 or email weblink.