NCCOSC RDTE Division, Code 214B, 53570 Silvergate Avenue, Bldg. A33, San Diego, CA 92152-5113

A -- PART 1 OF 2. HIGH-DATA-RATE, LINE-OF-SIGHT DIGITAL RADIO FOR MOBILE MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS SOL N66001-96-X-6911 DUE 092896 POC Contract Specialist, Mr. Cedric Cunningham, (619)553-4530, cunningh@nosc.mil. Technical Contact: Dr. R. C. North, (619)553-6008, rnorth@nosc.mil. Contracting Officer, Mr. Ed Brown. Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center (NCCOSC), RDT&E Division's (NRaD) Communications Department is conducting applied research towards the development of a high-data-rate (HDR), line-of-sight (LOS) digital communications system for ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and ship-to-relay connectivity. The objective of the applied research is to create a high capacity wireless communications network within a Battle Group (BG) or Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG), thereby allowing for the flow of voice, video, and data between platforms and connecting the communication assets from each of the different platforms. This would allow, for instance, a surface combatant without HDR SATCOM assets to get access to shore sites if such communication assets existed on another ship, say an aircraft carrier. In addition, the robustness of the entire BG or ARG communication infra-structure is improved by being able to share the communication assets of all. The objective of this BAA is to develop the modulator/demodulator (modem), and the radio-frequency (RF) equipment technologies capable of transmitting a full-duplex 1536 kilo-bits-per-second (kbps)(1536 kbps = 24x64 kbps) in the Naval maritime environment using a 600 KHz (24x25 KHz) frequency channelization. This requires that the 3 dB bandwidth of the transmitted signal be less than 480 KHz. An additional objective of this BAA is to develop the radio frequency (RF) media access control techniques required to connect each of the 6-8 platforms in a BG or ARG via the full-duplex HDR links into a fully connected network allowing information to move between each platform. Emphasis for the modem development effort is on the reliability of the communication links at useful ranges between mobile platforms such as Navy ships, helicopters, and sub-sonic fixed-winged aircraft and various shore sites. Use in a relayed system like with an unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV) should also be considered. The present plans are to transmit and receive the HDR signals in the 225-400 MHz band, but operation in other bands with more available spectrum, like the 1350-1850 MHz band, is possible. The design of a system which can also inter-operate with other Navy, Army, and Air Force radio systems is highly encouraged. The Navy is seeking an open system, non-proprietary approach for this effort. The use of non-developmental (NDI) and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components are encouraged to the maximum extent practical. Three phases are being considered. Phase 1 would focus on detailed designs, technology tradeoffs, risk reductions, and establishing the expected performance in the ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and ship-to-air mobile links. In addition, Phase 1 would refine the cost estimates of producing the equipment in Phases 2 and 3 and might produce some hardware (perhaps with limited capabilities) adequate for laboratory testing. It is anticipated that this phase would last no more than 6 months. Phase 2 would develop at least three HDR LOS Digital Radios (modems, RF equipment, and any required supporting equipment) capable of being tested at NRaD and in a shipboard environment in a full-duplex, 1536 kbps mode. This phase is anticipated to last between 6-15 months. In addition, this phase should address issues regarding system manufacturing like cost, time, and maintenance. Phase 3 would include a full networking demonstration within a BG or ARG incorporating at least two HDR LOS links on each of 3-8 mobile platforms, possibly during JWID '99. Technology areas of interest include (but are not limited to): 1. HDR LOS Modem: This technology area will principally develop and demonstrate a 70 MHz intermediate frequency (IF) modem capable of transmitting 1536 kbps and receiving 1536 kbps simultaneously. Bandwidth efficient modulations resulting in the 1536 kbps signal being transmitted in less than a 3 dB bandwidth of 480 KHz are targeted. It is encouraged that the modem be programmable so that design parameter (e.g. data rate, modulation, forward error correction code rate, training sequence length and frequency, number of carriers, etc.) can be optimized for various applications and so that additional waveforms and algorithms could be programmed and evaluated in the delivered modem at a later date. In addition, it is encouraged that the modem be capable of other data rates (for example 64 kbps, 128 kbps, 256 kbps, 576 kbps, 768 kbps, 1024 kbps, and 2048 kbps) with corresponding bandwidth efficient transmitted spectrums for other potential applications (like the use of the modem at HF for beyond LOS operation using surface waves) and for easy interfacing with standard COTS telecommunications equipment servicing T1/E1, ISDN (BRI/PRI) and other circuits. Performance improvement features for the Navy environment are encouraged including interference mitigation, operation with less than linear RF equipment (like class C or class AB high power amplifiers), and multiple receive IFs for spatial and/or frequency diversity. Also methods to increase the number of simultaneous links, like minimizing the spectral transmissions and transmit power control, are of interest. Plans for higher than 1536 kbps data rates should also be addressed as a migration path for future developments. 2. RF Equipment: This technology area will principally develop RF equipment (upconverters/downconverters, high power amplifiers, multi-couplers, antennas) required in order for the HDR LOS modem to meet the desired link reliability. This could include modifications to existing Navy equipment or developing new equipment. Present plans are to work with an average transmit power of 100 Watts in the 225-400 MHz band. However, being able to mix the HDR LOS modem to different bands, and possibly operating the LOS modem at different data rates/modes, is highly desirable. 3. RF Media Access Control: This technology area will principally develop frequency allocation methods, transmit power control, protocols, and software to dynamically and automatically assign frequencies and/or time slots within a BG or ARG such that a best attempt is made to maintain connectivity between all ships. Equipment and controller requirements should be determined. For instance, control could be built into the LOS modem using a low-data-rate in-band control channel between platforms and each ship might be required to have at least two HDR UHF LOS systems on board which are controllable by simple network management protocol (SNMP). Methods for minimizing and recovering from frequency collisions should be included. Interested organizations are encouraged to submit an initial white paper (must not exceed 12 single sided pages including cover letter and title page) within thirty days of the publication of this BAA or the next working day should day 30 fall on a holiday or weekend. The white paper should address one or more of the technology areas and/or phases, but completeness will be considered due to the interrelationship of the technical areas. The narrative should include a technical description of the effort, the interrelationship of the technology areas (if more than one is addressed), identification of the risks, a preliminary schedule, and a rough cost estimate for each technology area and/or phase addressed. All technical approaches will be considered. Offerors may submit more than one white paper. This BAA will remain open for one year from the date of publication. White papers will be accepted up to one year after the BAA publication. However, initial evaluation of white papers and subsequent requests for initial proposals will be based upon those white papers received within the first thirty days after the BAA publication. NRaD has developed a technology base for the development of the HDR LOS digital communications system via an applied research program. A supplemental technical paper consisting of further details, possible design approaches and additional guidelines is available at http://www.nosc.mil/contract/baa/. Questions regarding the content of the aforementioned package should be referred to the technical contact. Only EMAIL questions will be accepted. All questions and answers will be published electronically at http://www.nosc.mil/contract/baa/. Note: Potential offerors are responsible to obtain the electronic version of the technical data. No hard copies will be made available by the government. (0268)

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