N101-010 TITLE: Real Time RF Range Delay Emulation

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-265, Super Hornet, Hornet; Air 5.4.4.2; Next Generation Jammer

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a technology to test a digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) device in an installed system test facility (ISTF) with a realistic model of one-way range delay between the DRFM and other facility assets with limited degradation of the injected signal.

DESCRIPTION: A concept is required that will result in the development of a system to operate from 100 MHz to 18 GHz providing dynamic controlled time correction characteristic of free space propagation with respect to a simulated moving target in a coaxial environment. The development of the range delay emulator should be programmable, with the capability to correctly adjust for one-way propagation time induced by the slant range from the system under test (SUT) to a simulator. The time correction must account for both the fixed inherent ISTF infrastructure delay, along with the dynamic predicted simulated target position. The injected signal is required to have the dynamic time correction applied with limited degradation of the injected signals, to include noise additions. The emulator should also provide an interface for external target data inputs, correcting time delay values representative of the simulated one-way range in a dynamic scenario. This capability will provide a cost savings to the government by providing a means of testing DRFM systems in an ISTF, thereby reducing the time required for the more expensive flight test environments. This external interface is required for integration with the Joint Integrated Mission Model (JIMM) to be compatible with existing stimulators at the facility.

PHASE I: Determine feasibility of and develop a conceptual design for an appropriate real time range delay emulator.

PHASE II: Develop detailed designs for the Phase I range delay emulator and fabricate a prototype suitable for proof of concept testing in a laboratory environment. Conduct preliminary testing demonstrating the one-way range delay capabilities and performance.

PHASE III: Integrate Phase II prototype via external interface with a real-time executive using the Joint Integrated Mission Model (JIMM) thus allowing use with existing RF stimulators resident at the test facility. Develop and fabricate a full-scale multi channel emulator. This emulator will provide full-scale demonstration of all capabilities and will lead to a full-scale prototype demonstration unit.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The range delay emulator can be used to test commercial cellular, RF data links, and other communication systems.

REFERENCES:
1. Skolnik, Merill, Radar Handbook, Third Edition, McGraw, 2008

2. Stimson, George W., Introduction to Airborne Radar, Second Edition, 1998

3. Neri, Filippo, Introduction to Electronic Defense Systems, Second Edition, SciTech Publishing, 2006

KEYWORDS: Delay; Radio Frequency (RF); Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM); Radar; Real-time; Programmable

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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