Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: MDA16-008

Description

To address the Missile Defense Agencys (MDAs) need for modeling of the attenuation effects of the ionosphere and troposphere for radio frequency (RF) applications, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Real-time Ionospheric and Tropospheric Effects Software (RITES). RITES is based on a new software design that utilizes POC-developed mature software components and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software components. Specifically, the innovation in in-house real-time ionosphere and troposphere radiation environment characterization algorithms and RF propagation modules will enable the system to identify attenuation effects along the UHF, X band, and K band. As a result, this model offers real-time operation in the required bands, which directly addresses the MDA requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of RITES by identifying the attenuation effects of the ionosphere and troposphere along the RF bands and providing a proof-of-concept demonstration of the model, reaching Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4. In Phase II, POC plans to complete a detailed prototype design of the software/model incorporating government performance requirements, reaching TRL-6. Approved for Public Release | 16-MDA-8917 (15 November 16)