Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A13-028

Description

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to mature, in Phase II, the new Wideband Intelligent Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum Detection Exploitation and Monitoring (WISDEM) system, developed and proven feasible in Phase I. POC showed real-time data processing of 1.5 GHz instantaneous bandwidth and sub-millisecond time resolution using prototype systems developed in Phase I. The prototype successfully detected center frequency, bandwidth, amplitude, and time stamp of ambient signals, and reduced spectral data transfer by a factor of 30,000, which will ensure that the data can be transferred over a standard 802.11 communication link. In Phase II, POC will develop a rugged, survivable, field WISDEM system prototype to cover the 1?6400 MHz band using a prototype low-cost receiving system. POC will use the EPG range in Phase II as the surveillance and reconnaissance target, and the current bandlimited RF links, to document an improved capability. POC will baseline the existing performance and compare it with the WISDEM Phase II prototype. POC will refine estimated costs for production runs of 10 and 50 units. Successful demonstration of these prototype implementations, which are easily integrated with current Army Electronic Proving Ground (EPG) test operations, will ensure rapid transition to production-ready capability in Phase III.