TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems, Ground/Sea Vehicles, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-251, Aviation Data Management and Control System, ACAT IV

OBJECTIVE: Develop technology for reliable, high-bandwidth wireless data and voice communications with low probability of intercept that could be used aboard aircraft carriers and air-capable ships.

DESCRIPTION: Aircraft carrier flight decks are dynamic environments with many people performing various servicing tasks, such as ordnance loading, fueling, and maintenance, on multiple aircraft. This whole "ballet of chaos" to get aircraft ready for the next launch requires a high level of coordination and communication. Current systems for wireless communication on the flight deck have been unreliable and sometimes inadequate. The Aviation Data Management and Control System (ADMACS) will help in coordinating these tasks but still requires manual entry for key data inputs.

This topic is seeking innovative technologies that could provide personnel with close to 100 percent reliable voice and data communication wirelessly and covertly on the carrier flight deck. These technologies should include advanced displays, controls and interfaces that improve the ability of humans and computers to interact seamlessly with each other while not restricting freedom of movement or compromising perception of the surrounding environment. Novel means of human-computer interface that reduce operator workload and obviate the need for manual entry of data (such as status of aircraft maintenance, ordnance loading or aircraft fueling tasks) are desired.

It is important to note that the aircraft carrier environment presents considerable challenges. Noise levels on the deck can be extremely high, up to 150 dB when close to aircraft at full power. Electromagnetic interference from operating radar is an issue especially for radio frequency technologies. Multiple moving and stationary objects, such as aircraft, support equipment and people, could be potential sources of occlusion for traditional line-of-sight solutions. Flight deck personnel can be communicating with each other, with people or computers within the island structure or below decks.

PHASE I: Provide one or more conceptual designs and determine the feasibility through analysis and/or focused demonstrations. Address cost and performance in the carrier environment to the maximum extent possible.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype system and demonstrate it in a relevant environment, which could be an operating carrier or in the lab with simulated conditions. Provide an assessment of cost, performance, reliability and supportability.

PHASE III: Further develop a prototype for robustness, shock testing, manufacturability and reliability/maintainability. Qualify it for shipboard use. Produce production units and integrate them into a carrier environment, including interface with other systems such as ADMACS.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The communications and gaming industries would benefit from technologies developed under this topic.

REFERENCES:
1. Office of Naval Research - Navy Collaborative Integrated Information Technology, Advanced Wireless Integrated Navy Networks (AWINN) - http://awinn.ece.vt.edu/

2. Recent trend in technologies developments for wireless communications IEEE 2005 International Symposium on, Microwave, Antenna, Propagation and EMC Technologies for Wireless Communications (MAPE 2005) Takeuchi, S.; Microwave, Antenna, Propagation and EMC Technologies for Wireless Communications, 2005. MAPE 2005. IEEE International Symposium on Volume 1, 8-12 Aug. 2005 Page(s):P - 1-7 Vol. 1 Digital Object Identifier
10.1109/MAPE.2005.1617823.

3. Architecture, features and evaluation of effective, multi-purpose human computer interfaces Virgili, P.; Bruno, A.; Bruzzone, G.; Spirandelli, E.; OCEANS '98 Conference Proceedings Volume 1, 28 Sept.-1 Oct. 1998 Page(s):498 - 502 vol.1 Digital Object Identifier10.1109/OCEANS.1998.725797

4. Evaluating automatic speech recognition as a component of a multi-input device human-computer interface Mellor, B.A.; Baber, C.; Tunley, C.; Spoken Language, 1996. ICSLP 96. Proceedings., Fourth International Conference on Volume 3, 3-6 Oct. 1996 Page(s):1668 - 1671, vol.3 Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/ICSLP.1996.607946.

5. Naval Science Foundation - Digital Government / Rapidly-deployable broadband wireless, ITR - Wireless video sensor networks (CNS-0312655),- Advanced networking (DGE-9987586).

6. Wireless And Mobile Computing, Networking And Communications, 2005.
(WiMob'2005), IEEE International Conference on Publication Date: 22-24 Aug. 2005, Volume: 3, On page(s): 268- 274 Vol. 3.

KEYWORDS: Wireless Communications; High bandwidth Data Transfer; Speech Recognition; Displays; Human-Computer Interface; Artificial Intelligence

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between November 12 and December 7, 2008, 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 8, 2008, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

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