USMC Ground Radio LPI/LPD Interference Mitigation Active Communication Antenna Navy SBIR FY2018.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2018.1 Topic No.: N181-003 Topic Title: USMC Ground Radio LPI/LPD Interference Mitigation Active Communication Antenna Proposal No.: N181-003-0928 Firm: GIRD Systems, Inc. 11260 Chester Road, Suite 600 Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 Contact: James Caffery Phone: (513) 281-2900 Web Site: http://www.girdsystems.com Abstract: GIRD Systems, Inc (GIRD) proposes an (LPI/LPD) interference mitigating (IM) active antenna (A2), simply referred to simply as the A2, module which both reduces the United States Marines Corps (USMC) spectral signature and raises the adversarial spectral signature. This is accomplished through a novel A2 system design which provides a long-range, terrestrial, tactical data link and interfaces to the data port(s) of the AN/PRC-117G. The unique hardware and signal processing design provides precise beam alignment, advanced null-steering towards in-band and adjacent channel interference, power control to enable LPI/LPD operation, sensing of the surrounding spectral environment and a low-size, weight and power (SWaP), man-packable form factor. This development provides a communication system which can operate with resilience in a contested-network environment. The primary development efforts consist of system feasibility studies, hardware design and development and signaling processing/software development and evaluation. The developed A2 system is expected to possess TRL 3 at the end of the Phase I effort and TRL 6 at the end of the Phase II effort. GIRD�?Ts assembled team brings decades of tactical radio and communication system design experience and is well-qualified to successfully execute this program. Benefits: Robust communications is a critical component to United States Marines Corps (USMC) warfighters and provides a tactical advantage over increasingly sophisticated adversaries. The information ubiquity due to increased sensors and situation awareness requirements (data links to command post, UAV full motion video and data feeds, IP connectivity to DoD secure networks) in the battlefield places strain on the communications infrastructure. Additionally, sophisticated enemies will attempt to jam and otherwise disrupt this communications capability. Successful completion of the Phase I and Phase II effort would result in a sophisticated active antenna module which would alleviate this network-contested environment and provide a tactical advantage to the USMC warfighter. This will be achieved by lowering the spectral signature of USMC communication and operating in an LPI/LPD mode. Beyond the USMC, this capability could be leverage on any ground radio system which operates in contested network environments. This has direct benefits to other DoD Services. Other government agencies which could leverage this technology include the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and disaster preparedness agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Public safety agencies would also benefit from this technology which could retro-fit existing legacy communication infrastructure. Return