Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: Addressing the Navy"s need to provide a means for high-power very-low-frequency (VLF)

Description

Addressing the Navy"s need to provide a means for high-power very-low-frequency (VLF) transmitting systems to broadcast more efficiently and effectively, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Modular Dynamic Tuner for Improved VLF Antenna Transmit Efficiency (MODULATE). Based on a modular architecture, this proposed tuner incorporates robust components proven to operate at over 10 MVA. The modular architecture allows a variable number of identical modules to be operated in conjunction to enable compatibility with all five VLF transmitting systems operated by the Navy. The tuner inductance can be accurately controlled over millisecond timescales, allowing MODULATE to tune the antenna in sync with the 200-baud MSK modulation without generating sideband or high order harmonics during the tuning transition. As a result, MODULATE will dramatically increase the transmit efficiency of VLF systems and allow them to operate effectively as broadband VLF systems, which directly addresses the Navy requirements for submarine communications. In Phase I, through detailed analysis and modeling, POC will demonstrate that MODULATE addresses all objectives and technical risks. In Phase II, POC plans to build a prototype tuner module and test it at a Navy low-frequency test facility.