ROME LABORATORY'S DRAFT FY98 SBIR TOPICS PART 1 OF 6. ROME LABORATORY'S DRAFT FY 98 SBIR TOPICS. ROME LABORATORY IS PLEASED TO MAKE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING DRAFT SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATIVE RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM TOPICS. THESE TOPICS ARE NOT APPROVED AS YET AND ALL MAY NOT APPEAR IN THE FINAL SOLICITATION: SBIR TOPIC #AF98-106. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: Richard N. Smith, RL/C3BA (315) 330-7436. TITLE: Space Communications Protocol Standards (SCPS) Integration Into Satellite Operations Infrastructure. CATEGORY: Applied Research. DOD CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: B07. SERVICE CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: AF1. OBJECTIVE: Integrate the SCPS protocol into present/future satellite operations and architecture. DESCRIPTION: The SCPS program is a joint effort between the DOD, NASA, and the National Security Agency (NSA) in which four upper layer protocols are being developed, tested, and validated. The four protocols include: (1) an application layer protocol to support file transfers called SCPS-File Protocol (FP); (2) a transport layer protocol to supportend-to-end data transmission called SCPS-Transport Protocol (SCPS-TP); (3) a network layer protocol to support internet delivery of data called SCPS-Network Protocol (SCPS-NP); and (4) a security protocol called SCPS-SP. Historically, data transmission protocols such as Transport Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) have been developed with fixed ground applications in mind. Space applications, however, exist in a different operational environment relative to fixed ground applications. For example, most space applications experience constrained bandwidths, higher bit-error rates (BER), dynamic links, higher link delays, and limited computing power onboard the space vehicles. The SCPS protocol suite is being developed to better couple the data transmission protocols to the space environment. It should be noted, however, that the SCPS protocols are also applicable to other non-space environments having any or all of the channel characteristics mentioned above. A software coded implementation of the integrated SCPS protocol is being developed, referred to as the "Reference Implementation." The first version of the "Reference Implementation" will be available in February 1997. Additionally, standardization of the SCPS protocol suite is progressing by two routes: (1) Four MIL STDs have been developed and are currently undergoing a technical review with a final version scheduled for September 1997; and (2) Consultative Committee on Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Red Books have been developed that are also in the review process with an expected completion date of late FY97. The final goal is to develop international ISO standards for each of the four SCPS protocols. PHASE I: (1) Develop alternative concepts and implementation designs to integrate the SCPS protocol suite as described in the referenced MIL STDS into: (a} the near-term Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) operations infrastructure for use in the 0 to 10 year time frame; and (b) future satellite operations architecture alternatives being formulated by the Air Force and the DOD Office of Space Architect for the post 10-year far-term time frame. (2) Identify a recommended approach for both the near- and far-term time frames that address software, hardware, and/or firmware requirements and design implementations. PHASE II: For the recommended near-term time frame approach identified in Phase I, develop a documented prototype SCPS implementation capability, including the necessary software, hardware, and/or firmware required, that can he integrated and tested in an operational environment within the AFSCN. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Existing data transmission protocols are primarily for ground-based applications. The SCPS protocol suite is being developed as a solution to this problem and will be applicable to DOD, NASA, and commercial space applications. An especially fertile area for commercial potential will be the evolving personal communications satellite system such as IRIDIUM, Globalstar, Odyssey, and Teledesic. KEY WORDS: Networks, Space Communications, Protocol, File Transfer, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Data Transmission. SBIR TOPIC #AF98-107. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: Donald J. Nicholson, RL/C3BA (315) 330-7437. TITLE: Affordable Array Antenna for Multiple Satellite Links. CATEGORY: Applied Research. DOD CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: B10.SERVICE CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: AF1. OBJECTIVE: Develop cost-effective array antenna concepts for multiple satellite-to-ground and cross links. DESCRIPTION: Part of the solution to meet the needs for reduction of operating cost and higher efficient satellite network operations, is to use antennas capable of multiple simultaneous links between satellite to ground or another satellite. However, the current phased array antennas employing digital beam-forming networks and phase-shift circuits to provide such capability are very expensive. Recently, several low-cost techniques with good performance characteristics such as plasma mirror, row/column steering, liquid-crystal/ferroelectric phase shifters, slotted waveguide array, differential rotation of microstrip patch antenna elements, and a number of hybrid techniques to steer RF or laser beams either electronically or mechanically have been developed. These new technologies offer opportunities of investigating the possibility of developing affordable array antennas for cost-effective satellite network operations. The objective of this research is to develop a low-cost array antenna concept for multiple satellite-to-ground and satellite-to-satellite communication links, and assess its feasibility and practicability. The design goals are low cost, long range, flexible frequency change, multiple beams over wide bands, and simultaneous operations with several satellites. Satellite network operations requirements for wide coverage, multiple frequency bands, and high transmission capacity are also to be considered. PHASE I: Phase I activity shall include: (1) identification of the antenna requirements for supporting satellite network operations in the 2007 and 2015 time frame; (2) evaluation of the applicability of alternative beam forming and steering techniques to develop at least three candidate low-cost array antenna concepts; (3) assessment of each candidate concept in terms of technical feasibility, application utility, operational flexibility, and economical viability; (4) identification of new technical issues relating to the practicality of specific candidate concepts, and documentation of detailed conceptual designs and assessment results. PHASE II: The Phase II activity shall include: (1) the conduct of tradeoff evaluations of the candidate conceptual designs, including but not limited to, different geometric configurations, passive or active transmitter, element types, beam generation, polarization, methods of steering the beam, etc. to synthesize a single optimal conceptual design; (2) construction of computer simulation and/or bread-board demonstration selected antennacharacteristics to support design analysis, identify key design parameters, and verify the projected capability; (3) through the utilization of an architectural simulation representing AF Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) to develop a concept of operation employing the designed array antenna for AFSCN, and evaluate the antenna's impact on the overall AFSCN performance; (4) rough estimation of life cycle cost of the selected antenna concept within the context of AFSCN; and (5) documentation of all technical results and lessons learned form the Phase II activities and additional technology needs. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The antenna concept developed in this research will have both commercial and military application in providing multi-frequency links, multi-beam operations, high data rate and narrow-beam transmission to meet their operational requirements. Low-cost array antenna is capable of improving commercial satellite network performance and reducing operational cost, especially for the ones withlarge constellation such as IRIDIUM and Telsdesic. KEY WORDS: Satellite Network Operations, Phased Array Antenna, Electronic or Mechanical Beam Steering, Beam Forming, Geometric Configuration, Passive or Active Element, Multiple Simultaneous Links. SBIR TOPIC #AF98-108. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: Richard N. Smith, RL/C3BA (315) 330-7436. TITLE: Military Space-Ground Link Interface Unit. CATEGORY: Applied Research. DOD CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: B07. SERVICE CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: AF1. OBJECTIVE: Develop a modular Space-Ground Link Interface Unit for Wide Area Networks (WANs). DESCRIPTION: The current Department of Defense development of the Space Communications Protocol Standards (SCPS) will standardize the protocol suite used in future satellite communications system and change the payload delivery mechanism to Internet Protocol (IP) packets. The older satellites payload transmissions using wavy trains, will still have to be supported. Current satellite developments use Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells to transport payloads. A need exists for a modular Space-Ground Link Interface Unit which will accept any type of payload delivery mechanism (wave trains, IP packets, ATM cells, etc.) using "plug and use" network interface cards to reconstitute the payload data into the protocol suite used for a destination WAN. The modular Space-Ground Link Interface Unit will have the routing tables necessary to set the WAN destination address and the network switching capability to interface with the military WANs. All current WAN standards will be supported by the modular Space-Ground Link Interface Unit including ATM and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET). The modular Space-Ground Link Interface Unit will incorporate any encryption device or mechanism used in the delivery of the payload on the WAN. The resulting modular Space-Ground Link Interface Unit will allow a common interface device for all military WANs providing interoperability across the military WANs and eliminating existing, less efficient WAN interfaces. The Space-Ground Link Interface Unit shall be modular in design to accommodate a plug and use methodology and any future technologies or protocol suites. Performance issues shall be considered in the development of the modular Space~Ground Link Interface Unit to minimize the performance impacts on the WANS. PHASE I: In Phase I, the contractor shall: 1) research and identify (with Government assistance) current and proposed payload transport mechanisms and encryption requirements across the military WANs that will be incorporated into the Space-Ground Link Interface Unit. The design of the Space-Ground Link Interface Unit shall have modular components that will allow the unit to be configured for all the identified transport mechanisms and military WANs. 2) The contractor shall identify the performance issues that will help minimize the Space-Ground Link Interface Unit impact on the military WANS. 3) The contractor shall produce a preliminary design for the modular Space-Ground Link Interface Unit. 4) The contractor shall provide a proof of concept demonstration of the modular design concepts. PHASE II: In Phase II, the contractor shall: 1) finalize development of the Space-Ground Link Interface Unit that meets and exceeds current and evolving military requirements. 2) The contractor shall perform system measurement and analysis to determine performance specifications and to verify that all performance issues have been addressed. 3) The contractor shall provide operational demonstrations which meet jointly {Government and contractor) agreed upon specifications. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Application of the modular plug and use Space-Ground Link Interface unit to commercial satellite payload transport mechanisms (in concert with resulting cost savings) would be highly beneficial. KEY WORDS: Space Communications Protocol Standards (SCPS), Internet Protocol (IP), Space-Ground Link, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Synchronous Optical Network (SONET). SBIR TOPIC #AF98-109. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: William G. Cook, RL/C3BA (315) 330-3033. TITLE: Jammer and Spoofer Detection, Direction Finding, and Location Technology. CATEGORY: Applied Research.DOD CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: B11. SERVICE CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: AF1. OBJECTIVE: Develop technology, hardware, and software to quickly detect and locate the coordinates of GPS signal interference. DESCRIPTION: GPS is rapidly becoming a critical component of many civilian as well as military systems. The GPS signals, as received at the Earth, tend to be very weak. This makes them very easy to jam or spoof. RF signals in the GPS frequency band can be openly broadcast and can be used to jam or interfere with the reception of the satellite signals; thus either denying, deceiving, or severely degrading GPS operation. RF transmitters that operate on other frequency bands may produce harmonics of sufficient strength to interfere with local GPS operation. Various mitigation techniques exist, such as adaptive antenna and electronics that null strong jamming signals, adaptive filters that remove narrow band strong signals, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) algorithms that detect, isolate, and disregard a false signal (such as a spoofing signal) when computing the GPS solution. However, not all GPS user sets (including civilian uses) will be equipped with sufficient jammer nulling or filtering capabilities, and there is always the risk that a false signal can spoof user sets (even those equipped with RAIM). Thus, instruments need to be developed to detect and precisely locate the coordinates of false signals that interfere with GPS. Once the interfering source has been identified, action can be taken to control it. Weak signals with power of similar magnitude to GPS signals are not able to jam the receiver, but may spoof the receiver. Stronger signals will jam the receiver, but are easier to locate. A single device would generally only be able to determine the direction, but not the range of a hidden interferer. Thus, triangulation techniques may need to be developed that integrate two or more non co-located devices. The problem is very complex for the case of several dispersed jammers or spoofers, each emitting more than one Pseudo Random Noise (PRN) signal. Most of the basic hardware components needed to develop signal location devices are already available; such as fast correlator chips, IMU's adaptive antenna and electronics, and precise clocks. The hardware components need to be integrated into dedicated electronic devices and the necessary signal processing software and techniques need to be developed to address the signal location problem. PHASE I: Phase I activity shall be concerned with: 1) innovative integration of the required existing hardware components/assembly, such as (but not limited to) a multi-beam antenna, a many parallel correlator ASIC, an IMU, a precise frequency standard; 2) development of the software to quickly detect and find the direction/location of a GPS signal interferer; and 3) prototype demonstrations for a)the case or the strong signal" single jammer and b) the case of the "weak signal" spoofer. PHASE II: Phase II activity shall be concerned with: 1) development of equipment, techniques, and software to detect and find the direction and location of a) multiple non co-located jammer signals, b) multiple Clean/Acquisition (C/A) code co-located spoofer signals, and c) multiple non co-located C/A code spoofer signals; 2) demonstration of the equipment, techniques, and software for determining the coordinates of (the above) multiple jammers and spoofers. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Equipment successfully developed as a result of this contract will be used by relevant government agencies to detect and locate the source of a potential GPS signal interferer that disrupts DOD/NASA/commercial GPS operation. Similar techniques can be used to develop equipment for law enforcement involving the offense of the broadcast of signals on reserved frequencies. KEYWORDS: Electronic Warfare, Direction Finding, Emitter Location. SBIR TOPIC #AF98-110. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: Eugene C. Blackburn, RL/ERD (315) 330-2945. TITLE: Aging Predictions of Electronic Components Used Within the Guidance System of ICBMs (Minuteman and Peacekeeper). CATEGORY: Engineering Development. DOD CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: B07. SERVICE CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: AF1. OBJECTIVE: Develop and implement an innovative and cost effective method of predicting the aging parameters of Electronic Components used within the guidance systems of the Minuteman and Peacekeeper missiles. DESCRIPTION: Reliability Engineering Teams have been formed by the Government to analyze data involved in the stress analysis of failed components within the individual weapon system's guidance packages. Nothing has been done to predict the longevity of components used within the existing system. Only Manufacturer's Specifications and MIL-STD parameters exist at this time to establish a basis for the analysis. Reliability analysis appears to be incomplete without the aging prediction capability that a small business could add to this picture. Parts obsolescence is a critical issue in affecting the longevity of the system. Cost payback analysis is a key feature in determining this longevity, and age prediction statistics become paramount. A need for prediction of aging of these components is a necessary input into the total analysis for determining when a system or subsystem should be replaced. It could also be used to predict degradation of reliability more accurately. PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of prediction of aging of electronic components. Apply these calculations to known parameters for parts substitution for future procurements. Demonstrate a methodology to infer system reliability from component again affects. PHASE II: Implement this demonstrated approach to predict reliability degradation in Peacekeeper and Minuteman guidance systems due to electronic component aging. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Aging predictions can be used to anticipate replacement timing when itis most cost effective to do so. This could be applied to electronic systems that have a long intended lifetime, such as commercial satellites and other investment electronics. KEYWORDS: Reliability, Analysis, Repair, Longevity, Aging, ICBM. SBIR TOPIC #AF98-111. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: Peter J. Radesi, RL/C3BA (315) 330-1466. TITLE: Data Link Control Protocol. CATEGORY: Applied Research. DOD CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: B07. SERVICE CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA: AF1. OBJECTIVE: Develop a data link control protocol for satellite systems. DESCRIPTION: Military data networks supporting communications between computers are expanding. Local area networks (LANs) are being interconnected to form wide area networks (WANs) using satellite systems. The standard networking protocols in use by the commercial-off-the-shelf computers and networking equipment do not tolerate the bit error rates (BERs) and delays that are typical of satellite links. This results in the inefficient use of satellite resources. The challenge forthe innovator is to develop a data link control protocol that will work with the current Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networking protocols or future Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) protocols and allow these protocols to operate efficiently over satellite links. PHASE I: The contractor shall design a data link control

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