N112-095 TITLE: High-Integrity Global Navigation System for Unmanned Aircraft

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-264 Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Program Office

OBJECTIVE: Develop a high-integrity Global Navigation System (GNS) that is not vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, or electromagnetic interference (EMI) damage and that is capable of meeting the stringent size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints imposed by size Group 2 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and above.

DESCRIPTION: The continued exploitation of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in a Global Positioning System (GPS)-contested environment demands a high-integrity GNS that is not vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, or EMI damage. This system must also satisfy the SWaP constraints imposed by size Group 2 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and above.

Current GNSs, such as the U.S. GPS, utilize fixed reception pattern antennas (FRPAs), amplifiers, and a receiver. Improving only one component of the system, such as the jamming- and spoof-susceptible FRPA, can lead to expensive and complex solutions. For example, while omnidirectional phase array antennas, multiple steerable antennas, encoded signals, and Doppler satellite tracking have high integrity and are effective against multiple-source jamming, they require power-hungry data conversion and processing.

To meet both SWaP and anti-jamming requirements for size Group 2 UASs and above, an integrated approach must be taken. Coupling state-of-the-art hardware components such as chip-level receivers and miniature low-power inertial navigation systems with novel processing techniques will lead to robust GNS solutions.

The objectives of this SBIR topic are, in order of priority, to provide a 1) high-integrity, 2) small form factor, and 3) low-cost GNS solution that is suitable for all Navy size Group 2 UASs and above. Meeting these goals will require new and innovative techniques and a creative approach.

PHASE I: Conceptualize and design an innovative approach for developing a high-integrity GNS that is not vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, or EMI damage. This phase should include a detailed system design approach for Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop and produce a system prototype capable of bench-top laboratory-level operation. Develop and execute an experimental demonstration plan for the prototype to measure susceptibility to jamming, spoofing, and EMI. Further mature and harden the prototype for field demonstration. Develop and execute a chamber and/or airborne field demonstration of the system�s vulnerability to jamming, spoofing, and EMI.

PHASE III: Develop a preproduction system suitable for manufacture and commercialized production and generate pertinent documentation.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: A successful and reliable solution that can be manufactured in a small, low-weight, low-cost footprint has the potential to be adopted and used by both the private and commercial airline sectors to achieve the levels of safety of operations that are expected to be mandated in future Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations governing unmanned aircraft.

REFERENCES:
1. Fyfe, P., & Kovach, K. (2000). Navstar GPS space segment/navigation user interfaces, (ICD-GPS-200C with IRN-200C-004). Fountain Valley, CA: ARINC Research Corporation. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/gps/icd200/icd200cw1234.pdf

2. Hofmann-Wellenhof, B., Lichtenegger, H., Collins, J. (2001). GPS theory and practice, 5th ed. New York: Springer-Verlag.

3. Leick, A. (2004). GPS satellite surveying, 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.

4. Parkinson, B. W., & Spilker, J. J. (1996). Global Positioning System: theory and applications. Washington, DC: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

5. Warner, J. S., & Johnson, R. G. (2003). "GPS spoofing countermeasures." The Weekly Homeland Security Newsletter, wttp://www.homelandsecurity.org/bulletin/Dual%20Benefit/warner_gps_spoofing.html

KEYWORDS: Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS); Global Positioning System (GPS); Global Navigation System (GNS); Antijamming; Anti-spoofing; Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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