N093-199 TITLE: Increased Submarine RF Capacity for Sensors and Surveillance

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS-450: VIRGINIA Class submarine: 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 technologies for radio frequency distribution (RFD) and processing over fiber optics that provide substantial reduction of signal loss, electromagnetic interference, and reduced Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP).to be used in submarine communications and surveillance systems.

DESCRIPTION: The potential for innovative development of RF distribution and processing of data over fiber vice copper coax or waveguide on submarines offers two notable benefits. The first benefit is substantial reduction of Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) requirements. The Navy is interested in reducing submarine RFD volume requirements by 50%. Such reduction will permit inboard and outboard consolidation of the volume, such as sensor masts, needed to containing communication/sensor equipment and will also allow for increased surveillance capability. The current RF path through multiple connectors results in high data losses. At the same time, the performance of current commercial RF over fiber technologies can be limited because of the short link distances in military platforms such as submarines (4). The length of a VIRGINIA Class submarine is 377 feet; its beam is 34 feet. Innovations in RF photonics transport technologies would improve the signal to noise ratio. Also, current commercial solutions are insufficient to meet Navy surveillance requirements. High dynamic range over a wide bandwidth from VHF to EHF is required, and distribution of signals from outboard sensors to inboard processing while minimizing losses is required.

Cabling, waveguide, RF connectors and associated electronics all offer substantial SWaP reduction opportunities. The VIRGINIA Class submarine provides transition opportunities in the nearer term. Innovations in this area, moreover, will significantly influence future design decisions for the Sea Based Strategic Deterrent (SBSD) (Ohio Class replacement submarine program) Responders should focus on a point to point implementation of a sensor, RFD, and receiver as a Phase I proof of concept. Phase II will provide the opportunity for implementation of a more specific application. While the focus of this topic is on the submarine, the technology development has applications to other Navy platforms.

PHASE I: For the particular submarine application selected, determine the feasibility of a design that supports the requirements and recaptures significant volume. Demonstrate the feasibility using analysis and/or laboratory demonstration.

PHASE II: Complete the detailed research and development required to design and fabricate a prototype based upon the Phase I concept. The prototype should include sensor (or emulator), RFD, and receiver. Demonstrate with the prototype that key system performance specifications are met within reduced volume.

PHASE III: Incorporate the prototype design into a Navy Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) program

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Innovations in the area of RF distribution will benefit the telecommunication industry and airline industries.

REFERENCES:
1. Ehmke, J.; Brank, J.; Malczewski, A.; Pillans, B.; Eshelman, S.; Yao, J.; Goldsmith, C.; "RF MEMS devices: a brave new world for RF technology", Proceedings of the 2000 IEEE Emerging Technologies Symposium

2. Pozar, D. Microwave Engineering, Wiley, 2004

3. Pappert, Steve, Use of RF Photonics in Next Generation Military Antenna Systems. December 6, 2000. http://www.darpa.mil/mto/programs/aosp/pdf/pappert.pdf

4. Jacobs, E.W.; Rodgers, J.S.; Evans, D.C.; Weiner, T.E.; Lin, C., Considerations for Application of RF-over-Fiber to Navy Systems. Avionics, Fiber-Optics and Photonics Technology Conference, 2007 IEEE, Volume, Issue, 2-5 Oct. 2007 Page(s): 3 � 4. Abstract and ordering information at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jsp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fiel5%2F4365709%2F4365710%2F04365719.pdf%3Farnumber%3D4365719&authDecision=-203
(Other references to related articles by the authors of (3) and (4) can be found through websites such as Google Scholar.)

5. Ships, Sensors, and Weapons. Undersea Warfare Programs Target an Expeditionary Future. http://www.subsim.com/ssr/page46.htm

KEYWORDS: electronic warfare, communications, radio frequency distribution, photonics, RF over fiber, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), sensors

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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