Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N181-088

Description

To address the Navys need for a High Dynamic Range Multi-Carrier Amplifier, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new High Dynamic Range Multi-Carrier Amplifier with Automated Integrated Interference Mitigation (HAWAII), based on integrating POCs interference mitigation technology with state-of-the-art (SOTA) solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs). POC interference mitigation innovations built into HAWAII include: tunable filters and predistortion to linearize the amplifier and reduce intermodulation interference, and an interference canceller to provide simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) capability. As a result, this system supports hopping and multi-carrier waveforms across the entire HF/VHF/UHF bands, which directly addresses the PMW/A-170 requirements for integration with the Digital Modular Radio (DMR) and the High Frequency Over-the-Horizon (HFORCE) waveform. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of HAWAII, designing and developing a concept architecture to address high individual carrier power variations and mitigate the resulting intermodulation interference, reaching technology readiness level (TRL) 3. In Phase II, POC plans to develop and demonstrate a prototype system reaching TRL-5.