SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Optical Arbitrary Waveform Generation
- Notice Date
- 11/29/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541710
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Contracting Office
- Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, 22203-1714
- ZIP Code
- 22203-1714
- Solicitation Number
- BAA05-11
- Response Due
- 2/15/2005
- Archive Date
- 2/16/2005
- Description
- OPTICAL ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATION (OPTICAL AWG), SOL BAA05-11, Due: 02/15/05, TECHNICAL POCs: DR. JOHN R. LOWELL, DARPA/DSO, Ph: (571) 218-4685 and DR. JAGDEEP SHAH, DARPA/MTO, Ph: (703) 696-2253; Email: baa05-11@darpa.mil, URL: www.darpa.mil/dso.; Website Submission: http://www.sainc.com/dso0511/. The Defense Sciences Office (DSO) and the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are soliciting innovative research proposals to advance science and technology of optical arbitrary waveform generation and its applications. The ultimate vision for the Optical Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) is to demonstrate a compact, robust, practical, stable octave-spanning optical oscillator, and to demonstrate the ability to independently encode/decode (both via amplitude and phase modulation) all individual frequency components of such an octave-spanning oscillator with an update rate approaching the mode-locked repetition rate. This would provide an unprecedented level of performance for optical systems, and enable numerous high level applications, including sub-diffraction-limited imaging and ultra-wideband optical communications. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in incremental or evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION. Modern-day pulsed radiofrequency and microwave transmitters exploit large fractional bandwidths (defined as the ratio of the bandwidth of the system to its carrier frequency, which approaches unity in RF systems) to enable a tremendous variety of pulse formats for efficient encoding of information. This bandwidth is used at the system level to improve channel capacity and isolation, signal reception, or decrease noise sensitivity, for example. A further demonstration of the ease with which waveform manipulation is accomplished has been the development of commercial RF arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) with fractional bandwidths greater than 50% at 2 GHz. However, fractional bandwidth that is exploited in current systems decreases with increasing carrier frequency until it is approximately 10-3 in systems utilizing the 1.5 micron communications band. Despite being an example of the state of the art, optical communications systems have extremely limited fractional bandwidths when compared to, for example, wireless communications standards such as 802.11b. The ultimate bandwidth limitations occur in optical systems due to such factors as frequency stability of the laser oscillator; selection of information coding scheme; passive optical element performance; modulator and detector efficiency, speed, and bandwidth; and nonlinear effects due to the transmission medium. Radical new approaches are required to bring useable fractional bandwidth in optical systems close to unity. Recent advances in ultra-fast optics provide a roadmap for improving the fractional bandwidth of optical systems by orders of magnitude. The core technology components of the envisioned system are a mode-locked and frequency-stabilized, octave-spanning optical frequency comb functioning as a stable local oscillator; an encoder (or pulse shaper) that would modulate multiple frequency components; and a decoder / receiver capable of extracting the encoded information. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. To make the above vision a reality, the Optical AWG Program has two specific objectives that define our areas of interest: 1) to demonstrate technology for producing (and detecting) arbitrary optical waveforms with fractional bandwidths approaching 10%; and 2) to demonstrate system applications of Optical AWGs that are of high military interest, including (but not limited to) those that take inspiration from systems utilizing complex RF waveforms as a means of improving system performance. It is expected that this research will be conducted in three phases (specified below), with definitive near-, mid- and far-term milestones proposed over a several years period in order to provide measurable metrics for monitoring success toward overall program goals. In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged (but are not required) to discuss their ideas with the technical points of contact prior to submitting a proposal. The following sections provide background information about the research topic as well as detailed instructions for submitting proposals to the Optical AWG program. AREAS OF INTEREST . This announcement is a call for proposals describing research to demonstrate three core technology components of an optical arbitrary waveform generation and detection system. Additionally, we request proposals to demonstrate a specific system application, chosen by the proposer, of an Optical Arbitrary Waveform Generator that is of high military interest. For more information, see the Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP), available for download available at: http://www.darpa.mil/dso. PROGRAM SCOPE. The Optical Arbitrary Waveform Generation program will consist of an 18 month (Phase I) effort. This will be followed by two subsequent 24 month efforts (Phases II and III). Clearly stated, quantitative milestones are required 11 and 22 months into each of these phases. Organizations wishing to participate in Phase II or Phase III should include them as an option in their proposal as appropriate. We realize that this is a challenging and high-risk program. In order to mitigate risk, multiple awards are anticipated. Cost sharing is not required and is not an evaluation criterion, but is encouraged where there is a reasonable probability of a potential commercial application related to the proposed research and development effort. PROPOSAL INFORMATION. Specific guidance for full proposal format and content will be contained in the Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP) available at: http://www.darpa.mil/dso. Full proposals will consist of two volumes, Technical and Cost. Details about format and content of these volumes are contained in the Proposer Information Pamphlet. In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged (but are not required) to discuss their ideas with the technical points of contact in advance of submitting a full proposal. The number of awards will be dependent on the suitability of proposals received and availability of funds. Early submission of proposals is encouraged. PROPOSALS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 1600 EST, Tuesday, February 15, 2005. Full proposals submitted after the due date specified in the BAA will not be considered. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received and to make awards without discussions. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government?s needs may submit a proposal which shall be considered by DARPA. Input on technical aspects of the proposals may be solicited by DARPA from non-Government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Non-Government technical consultants/experts will not have access to proposals that are labeled by their offerors as ?Government Only?. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals; however, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU/MI participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of research in Optical Arbitrary Waveform Generation. Proposal Evaluation. Evaluation of each proposal will be accomplished through a technical review using the following criteria, listed in descending order of importance: 1. Overall scientific and technical merit of the proposal. 2. Value to defense. 3. Capability of the personnel and facilities to perform the proposed effort. 4. Cost realism. GENERAL INFORMATION: Offerors must obtain a pamphlet entitled ?BAA05-11, Optical Arbitrary Waveform Generation, Proposer Information Pamphlet? which provides further information on Optical Arbitrary Waveform Generation, the submission, evaluation, and funding processes, proposal formats, and other general information. This pamphlet may be obtained from the FedBizOpps website: http://www.fedbizopps.gov/, the DARPA DSO website: http://www.darpa.mil/dso, or by fax, electronic mail, or mail request to the administrative contact address given below. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA 05-11 Proposer Information Pamphlet, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for the same will be disregarded. Proposals not adhering to format guidelines in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. Address for Submission of Full Proposals and Administrative contact: DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA05-11, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. Web address for Full Proposal Submission: http://www.sainc.com/dso0511/. Email: baa05-11@darpa.mil. Phone: (571) 218-4531 Fax: (571) 218-4553. Guidance for Classified Information and Data: The Government anticipates that proposals submitted under a BAA will be unclassified. In the event that a proposer chooses to submit a classified proposal, the following information is applicable. Security Classification guidance on DD Form 254 will not be provided at this time since DARPA is soliciting ideas only. After reviewing the incoming proposals, if a determination is made that the award instrument may result in access to classified information, a DD Form 254 will be issued and attached as part of the award. Proposers choosing to submit a classified proposal must first receive permission from the Original Classification Authority to use their information in applying to this BAA. An applicable classification guide should be submitted to ensure that the proposal is protected appropriately. For Instructions on Submitting Classified White Papers or Full Proposals Contact: Robert Copeland, Director, Security & Intelligence Directorate (703) 526-6631. In all correspondence, reference BAA05-11. Points of Contact:Dr. John R. Lowell, DARPA/DSO; Phone (571) 218-4685; Fax: (703) 807-4962;Dr. Jagdeep Shah, DARPA/MTO; Phone: (703) 696-2253; Fax: (703) 696-2206. This announcement and the Proposer Information Pamphlet may be retrieved at URL http://www.darpa.mil/ in the solicitations area.
- Record
- SN00714113-W 20041201/041129212030 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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