Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, 4301 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92110-3127

58 -- HF MULTIBAND ANTENNA COUPLER/FILTER (MULTICOUPLER) SOL N00039-99-R-XXX9(RFI) DUE 031599 POC Kim DeBois Sousa, 02-32D, (619) 524-7186, Edward Wallace (619) 524-7189 WEB: http://e-commerce.spawar.navy.mil, http://www.jmcoms.org/jmcomsnews/slicefilelist.cfm?DIVISION=1763&;AREA= PUBLIC. E-MAIL: To contact the contract negotiator for this upcomming, deboisk@spawar.navy.mil. DESC: The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Joint Maritime Communications Strategy (JMCOMS) Program Office, PMW 176 is seeking concepts and potential sources to supply the Navy and joint forces with antenna couplers and receive system filters to support Digital Modular Radio (DMR) Line-of-Sight (LOS) shipboard operations over the frequency range of 100 kHz to 30 MHz on receive and 2 MHz on transmit (the HF frequency band). Sic code is 3663 and size standard is 750. This information is listed on the SPAWAR Business Opportunities web page under N0003999Rxxx9. Primarily, the motivation for this equipment is to complement the DMR HF capabilities, which include Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) operations as listed in MIL-STD-188-141A. The introduction of ALE will simplify setting up long haul circuits. It is expected that DMR will be fielded on smaller ships and HF Radio Group (HFRG) will be fielded on large ship platforms. DMR will need new ALE-capable peripheral equipment such as amps, couplers and filters. The objective requirement is that the RF distribution system support receiving signals down to quasi-noise floor that are +2.5% or more away in frequency from a transmit signal. The threshold requirement is 5%. Even with the DMR's good selectivity, it still needs help getting the large cosite signals down to a level that will not saturate the front end. The 2.5% objective requirement at 2 MHz is only 50 kHz from desired signal. The DMR is specified for RF input levels up +20 dBm, but the sensitivity for the desired signal can be reduced when the large signal is undesired. The DMR is specified not to be damaged by continuous operation with an input signal level of +30 dBm. The sensitivity of DMR should not be affected if undesired signals are kept below -35 dBm. Realizing the recent strides taken in the component development, PMW 176 is interested if other alternative implementations can achieve a cost-effective solution with improved performance. In order to minimize costs it is desired that changes to existing HF antennas and system be minimized. Examples of alternate designs ideas are active canceling, and notch filters that tune by the slower moving transmit frequencies. It is expected that the system should provide some conventional filtering for the receive signal. PMW 176 is interested in compactness of the equipment, cost, stability of the components over environmental conditions, and performance. The Transmit System Considerations and Desired Characteristics (2 MHz to 30 MHz) are: 1) HF power amplifier system that can provide 500 Watts rms from 2 MHz to 30 MHz, 2) That the Transmit system minimizes undesired outputs to levels much better than required by MIL-STD-461, 3) That the Transmit system especially minimizes undesired outputs above 30 MHz, 4) 3 dB passband bandwidth of 12 kHz per radio channel, 5) 30 dB (absolute minimum) filtering action for outputs that are +5% or more away in frequency from a transmit signal, 6) Support ALE operations as listed in MIL-STD-188-141A. The Receive SystemConsiderations and Desired Characteristics (100 kHz to 30 MHz) are 1) Reduce Cosite transmit signals (2 MHz to 30 MHz) that are +5% or more away in frequency from a desired receive signal to below -35 dBm before reaching the DMR. (- 10 dBm is considered the objective level), 2) Desires a receive coupler or passband filter system that covers entire 100 kHz to 30 MHz frequency range, 3) Minimum of four radio channels, 4) 3dB passband bandwidth of 12 kHz per radio channel, 5) Support ALE operations as listed in MIL-STD-188-141A. Both Transmit and Receive desired characteristics include "Use either or both of the control interface(s) listed in the DMR and Power Amplifier Communications Set Performance Specification at sections 3.7.6.1 and 3.7.6.3. The specification may be found in the file listed as RFPR_RFP.zip at (see below). Reponses are desired by 3-15-99. As part of a response, PMW 176 would appreciate replies to the following questions and is open to any alternate concepts or suggestions: 1) What is the selectivity of the couplers or filters; 2) What is the insertion loss of the couplers or filters; 3) What is the isolation between transmit and receive sides; 4) What are the filter characteristics, e.g., 3 dB and 30 dB bandwidths; 5) What is the tuning time of filter stages; 6) What is the ROM for the couplers or filters; 7) Is it feasible and cost-effective to have a coupler or filter covering entire HF frequency range; 8) What is the stability of filter sections over temperature, vibration, and shock; 9) Are there any requirements that significantly increase the cost of the item; 10) Do you desire to have a face-to-face meeting; and 11) Do you have any other suggestions? How would you recommend specifying the requirements? Technical Questions can be addressed to Gary Clinesmith at (619) 553-1245. Posted 02/04/99 (W-SN295022). 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