The Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking autonomous modular spectrum characterization solutions capable of passively detecting and gathering data primarily from wideband, high-bandwidth electromagnetic spectra while ensuring secure data storage. The initial prototype should focus on collecting radio frequency (RF) signatures, with future iterations potentially expanding to gather other phenomena, such as acústico signatures. Proposed solutions must operate autonomously and support multiple configurable triggering methods, including user-based activation, geofence boundary activation, and time-based scheduling activation. Additionally, the solution must record both Power Spectral Density (PSD) and raw in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) data to on-board and/or attached storage media.

Traditional methods of Electromagnetic Spectrum signature gathering face several significant constraints:

1. Wideband and High Bandwidth Limitations: They struggle to effectively capture wideband, high bandwidth signatures.
2. Software Limitations: Existing software solutions are often not easily configurable, lack autonomy, have limited or no data parsing capabilities, and are not interoperable with various software-defined radios (SDRs).
3. SWaP Constraints: Size, weight, and power (SWaP) limitations make these solutions difficult to transport and limit their portability and deployability in the field.

Final technology solutions should be designed with the smallest possible form factor using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components arranged to support a variety of size permutations. The solutions should minimize power consumption during idle operation and consist of non-emitting COTS components/devices. Some versions must be capable of operating under MILSPEC electromagnetic interference (EMI) conditions or be configurable to a non-emitting state. Future iterations may need to integrate with various platforms, such as unmanned systems (UXS), manned vehicles, and the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK).

Please visit the Defense Innovation Unit- Modular Spectrum Characterization opportunity for additional information.

Responses are due by June 11th, 2024, at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time

Crédito da imagem do post - Adobe Stock por Audrius Merfeldas