Network Technologies, ASA(ALT), Phase I
Non-Radio Frequency Transceiver Alternative Communicator
Objective
The U.S. Army seeks to develop a small, energy-efficient and self-contained transceiver that can wirelessly communicate between two points up to 300 meters away without using the traditional radio-frequency transport medium. Through an NRF-TAC solution, the Army wants a non-standard means of signal communication, such as magnetic, acoustic or infrared, that is difficult to detect and report in an environment of highly covert activity. The utilization of the Non-Radio Frequency Transceiver Alternative Communicator (NRF-TAC) will enable new mission deployment possibilities for the operation and control of remote sensors.
Description
The Army needs to operate unattended NRF-TAC, efficiently and effectively, in environments with high mobile activity that require the ability to remotely communicate on-demand with a small Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP) profile. The signal communication medium can include magnetic, acoustic, infrared or ultraviolet. The messaging between NRF-TAC devices must resist interference, detection and exploitation to ensure consistent and stable operation.
The NRF-TAC must be self-contained (i.e., require no external cabling), man-portable, easily concealable and field- programmable. The NRF-TAC must also be able to operate for at least 800 hours without operator intervention. The Army SBIR solicitation will focus on designing and building an innovative NRF-TAC prototype device capable of realistic field application. This solicitation aligns with several Army efforts, including smart sensing, while providing an alternate means of low probability detection and low probability interception communications.
Phase I
- Phase I Applied.
- Contract Kick-off – presentation on solution proposal and incorporation of Army customer feedback.
- Technology Selection – determination on the transmission signal method.
- Mid-Point Review – presentation on the current progress of the effort.
- Final Presentation – final design, including Key Performance Parameters (KPPs), based on materials and Verification Cross-Reference Matrix IAW w/KPPs Requirements Traceability. Final Presentation –final design, including Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) based on materials & Verification Cross-Reference Matrix (VCRM) IAW with KPPs Requirements Traceability.
Phase II
- Phase II Applied.
- Contract Kick-off – presentation on solution proposal and incorporation of Army customer feedback Quarterly Review/Demonstration Prototype advancements.
- Transition Partner Review – implementation.
- Documentation and Training PKG Review (30%, 60%, 90% and Final).
- Transition to Sponsor.
Phase III
- Academic research shows the efficacy of NRF sensor technology, like magnetic and infrared sensors, in reduced-communication environments where RF sensors need more energy to operate.
- Research shows that the commercial market prefers NRF sensors over RF for uses like home security, automotive crash sensing and additive manufacturing.
- Current market applications, including start-up usage, for NRF-TAC include:
- Internet of Things , which enables commercial applications like home security, healthcare, and underwater monitoring.
- Additive manufacturing, ranging from infrared and ultraviolet quality control.
- Automotive and transportation industry, augmenting automobile and railroad safety as well as autonomous vehicles via infrared and acoustic sensing.
Submission Information
- All eligible businesses must submit proposals by 12 PM EST.
- To view full solicitation details, click here.
- For more information, and to submit your full proposal package, visit the DSIP Portal.
- Applied SBIR Help Desk: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-asa-alt.mbx.army-applied-sbir-program@army.mil
References:
- Transceiver; Non-RF; Signal Communication; Alternative Communicator; NRF-TAC; Sensors; Low Probability of Detection.
- A Novel Magnetic Induction Communication Transmitter Based on a Mechanical Antenna (02/2020, Liu, Cao, Gong) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8991013
- Tracking an LED array transmitter for visible light communications in the driving situation (09/2010, Nagura, Yamazato, Katayama, Yendo, Fujii, Okada) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5624361
- Modeling of Short-Range Ultraviolet Communication Channel Based on Spherical Coordinate System (02/2019, Wu, Ma, Su, Yuan, Cheng) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8598725
- Design and implementation of a new infrared transmitter and receiver (05/2012, Wang, Li, Zhao) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6201434
Objective
The U.S. Army seeks to develop a small, energy-efficient and self-contained transceiver that can wirelessly communicate between two points up to 300 meters away without using the traditional radio-frequency transport medium. Through an NRF-TAC solution, the Army wants a non-standard means of signal communication, such as magnetic, acoustic or infrared, that is difficult to detect and report in an environment of highly covert activity. The utilization of the Non-Radio Frequency Transceiver Alternative Communicator (NRF-TAC) will enable new mission deployment possibilities for the operation and control of remote sensors.
Description
The Army needs to operate unattended NRF-TAC, efficiently and effectively, in environments with high mobile activity that require the ability to remotely communicate on-demand with a small Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP) profile. The signal communication medium can include magnetic, acoustic, infrared or ultraviolet. The messaging between NRF-TAC devices must resist interference, detection and exploitation to ensure consistent and stable operation.
The NRF-TAC must be self-contained (i.e., require no external cabling), man-portable, easily concealable and field- programmable. The NRF-TAC must also be able to operate for at least 800 hours without operator intervention. The Army SBIR solicitation will focus on designing and building an innovative NRF-TAC prototype device capable of realistic field application. This solicitation aligns with several Army efforts, including smart sensing, while providing an alternate means of low probability detection and low probability interception communications.
Phase I
- Phase I Applied.
- Contract Kick-off – presentation on solution proposal and incorporation of Army customer feedback.
- Technology Selection – determination on the transmission signal method.
- Mid-Point Review – presentation on the current progress of the effort.
- Final Presentation – final design, including Key Performance Parameters (KPPs), based on materials and Verification Cross-Reference Matrix IAW w/KPPs Requirements Traceability. Final Presentation –final design, including Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) based on materials & Verification Cross-Reference Matrix (VCRM) IAW with KPPs Requirements Traceability.
Phase II
- Phase II Applied.
- Contract Kick-off – presentation on solution proposal and incorporation of Army customer feedback Quarterly Review/Demonstration Prototype advancements.
- Transition Partner Review – implementation.
- Documentation and Training PKG Review (30%, 60%, 90% and Final).
- Transition to Sponsor.
Phase III
- Academic research shows the efficacy of NRF sensor technology, like magnetic and infrared sensors, in reduced-communication environments where RF sensors need more energy to operate.
- Research shows that the commercial market prefers NRF sensors over RF for uses like home security, automotive crash sensing and additive manufacturing.
- Current market applications, including start-up usage, for NRF-TAC include:
- Internet of Things , which enables commercial applications like home security, healthcare, and underwater monitoring.
- Additive manufacturing, ranging from infrared and ultraviolet quality control.
- Automotive and transportation industry, augmenting automobile and railroad safety as well as autonomous vehicles via infrared and acoustic sensing.
Submission Information
- All eligible businesses must submit proposals by 12 PM EST.
- To view full solicitation details, click here.
- For more information, and to submit your full proposal package, visit the DSIP Portal.
- Applied SBIR Help Desk: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-asa-alt.mbx.army-applied-sbir-program@army.mil
References:
- Transceiver; Non-RF; Signal Communication; Alternative Communicator; NRF-TAC; Sensors; Low Probability of Detection.
- A Novel Magnetic Induction Communication Transmitter Based on a Mechanical Antenna (02/2020, Liu, Cao, Gong) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8991013
- Tracking an LED array transmitter for visible light communications in the driving situation (09/2010, Nagura, Yamazato, Katayama, Yendo, Fujii, Okada) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5624361
- Modeling of Short-Range Ultraviolet Communication Channel Based on Spherical Coordinate System (02/2019, Wu, Ma, Su, Yuan, Cheng) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8598725
- Design and implementation of a new infrared transmitter and receiver (05/2012, Wang, Li, Zhao) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6201434