Description:
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate a GPS antijam antenna that is small enough and has low enough power consumption to be used in a dismounted mode, on battery power. DESCRIPTION: While GPS is the most prevalent navigation method in use today, its weak satellite signal is vulnerable to both unintentional interference and deliberate jamming from an adversary. With so much of the Army"s operations and infrastructure depending on GPS, means are urgently needed to assure the continued availability of GPS-based PNT capabilities. The PNT Assurance Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) was initiated in Oct 2011 to determine optimum means of solving this issue. Preliminary AoA results indicate the most effective means of countering GPS interference & jamming is to include an active anti-jam (AJ) capability as an applique to the GPS device. The intent of this initiative is to develop a product that can work with existing receiver devices such as DAGR or GB-GRAM based devices, and also with emerging products such as the Mobile Handheld GPS (M/HH). This is a secure (SAASM-based) device being developed for use in conjunction with the Handheld Computing Environment (Android OS-based Smartphone). Several varieties of active AJ device are in active use in the field today; these use a variety of interference suppression techniques including null steering, horizon nulling and Frequency Domain suppression. These products have varying degrees of success but all have three characteristics in common: - They are power-hungry (multiple watts consumption) - They are bulky and heavy (2-50 lb) - They are expensive ($3-75K) Therefore they have been confined to mounted use, almost exclusively in aviation. There is a need to develop & field an AJ capability (however limited) for dismounted use by foot soldiers on patrol. This initiative should develop, demonstrate, and field an affordable & reliable dual-frequency (L1 and L2) anti-jam antenna solution that will provide at increased protection against common GPS jamming sources. The product should operate autonomously (no interaction with GPS receiver required), offer a simple user interface and connect to current and upcoming GPS ground receiver products (DAGR and M/HH). The solution shall not require any hardware or software modifications to the GPS receiver. Options that improve performance and efficiency through receiver software changes may be offered as objective functions. US Government support contractors may be used in the evaluation of proposals. PHASE I: The Phase I deliverable will be a feasibility study documenting the past six months. This study should begin with identification of the most likely jamming sources for dismounted users (GPS Threat brief and PNT Assurance AoA results will be made available as source data). It should go on to identify likely existing products or technical developments that could be used to mitigate these threats while considering the draft requirements contain in the VARD. Key performance factors to consider are power draw, weight and cost (in that order). A tradeoff analysis should be conducted, a target technology selected and high risk requirements in the VARD identified with mitigation strategies recommended. The small business should design a wearable device with minimal SWAP and maximum ease of use. PHASE II: Develop an initial prototype of the technology and demonstrate in a laboratory environment the technical merit of the proposed solution AJ antenna system; successfully collect information for analysis. Use of GPS Simulators and simulated jamming will be required for this phase; a successful offeror must be capable of obtaining and using a Y-code GPS Simulator under the provisions of CZE 93-295. Develop a plan which shall include detail for the development, demonstration, maturation, and validation and verification (V+V) of these capabilities which will assist in Phase III transition. The small business will deliver a prototype based on the lessons learned and work performed in Phase I and Phase II. PHASE III: Develop and implement a technology transition plan with Product Director Positioning Navigation and Timing (PD PNT). The transition should include further technology maturation to include potential means of operator control and capability to embed DAJA electronics into the M/HH device. Finalize the AJ hardware and software, and conduct qualification testing of the product with DAGR, GB-GRAM-based handhelds (PFED, etc) and M/HH. This technology is applicable to the US Army and other DoD users that require Assured PNT capability. The envisioned production rate is 2000 DAJA units per month, for a total of approximately 100,000 systems to support Army dismounted PNT requirements. REFERENCES: 1. Assistant Secretary of Defense, Command Control Communications and Intelligence (ASD/C3I) Memorandum for all Service Acquisition Executives, dated August 23, 2000 2. CJCSI 6130.01D, 2007 Master Positioning, Navigation & Timing Plan, dated 13 April 2007 3. IS-GPS-164, GPS User Equipment Interface Specification for Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) Unique Interface Characteristics 4. Very Abbreviated Requirements Document, Anti-Jam GPS Antenna for Dismounted Use, PD PNT, 7 November 2012
