Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: ABSTRACT: To address the Air Force need for algorithm development that will enable remote

Description

ABSTRACT: To address the Air Force need for algorithm development that will enable remote chaotic communications with Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) and ad hoc networking between spacecrafts, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Chaotic-Pulse-Frequency Coding and Communication (CPCOM) system. This proposed system is based on a new method of chaotic bi-frequency generation. The implementation of chaotic bi-function to generate different chaotic frequencies will enable the CPCOM to provide LPI communication in spacecraft ad hoc networks. This system offers a novel secure chaotic communication approach and ultra-wideband (3-10 GHz), low-power (~30 mW) communication to support spacecraft navigation and position determination even when fully GPS-denied, which directly addresses the Air Force requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of CPCOM by analysis of CPCOM signal processing algorithms and chaotic modulation scheme, selection, and development algorithms that can be implemented with low computational complexity to provide LPI and meet low-SWAP requirements of the intended application to clusters of networked nano- or picosatellites (e.g., CubeSats). In Phase II, POC plans to implement the developed algorithms in low-battery power, programmable capability (e.g., FPGA) to demonstrate the performance of the CPCOM algorithms. BENEFIT: Military applications of the CPCOM will include specialized communications (including troops and distributed sensor networks) in noisy environments, such as combat zones, where electro-magnetic (EM) interference is one of the major limiting factors for communication. The CPCOM can be incorporated by law enforcement agencies to improve communication equipment. Commercial applications of CPCOM include first responder communication equipment, which will enable communication in environments with EM interference.