Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A15-031

Description

To address the Armys need for an open air virtual partial alcove anechoic chamber to attenuate interference to and from electronic warfare (EW) systems for test ranges, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Electromagnetic Virtual Anechoic Chamber (EMVAC). It is based on interference suppression by an innovative mitigation technique and available antenna, receiver, and transmitter components to send out a canceling wave. Specifically, the innovation in the system architecture and its antenna network will enable the EMVAC to persistently reduce interference originating from EW systems under test and also from external commercial communication systems. This system offers test operators an interference reduction tool enabling physical testing of EW systems in a 500 m testing zone that covers a 15 degree sector both vertically and horizontally, without creating signal reflection. In addition, EMVAC is not affected by wind or temperature variation, and provides a modular solution that is quickly relocatable, which directly address the Army requirements. In Phase I, POC will perform tradeoff analysis and demonstrate the feasibility of EMVAC through simulation, design, and prototype testing of critical subsystems. In Phase II, POC plans to develop an EMVAC prototype to conduct live-testing to prove its mission worthiness.