FY11 Communications and Networking Discovery and Invention

archived

Communications technology that can provide seamless, robust, connectivity is at the foundation of the Sea Power 21 and FORCEnet Vision "... to have the right information, at the right place, at the right time ..." The performance of Command and Control (C2) systems and decision making at all levels of command depend critically on reliable, interoperable, survivable, secure and timely communications and networking, and the availability of high capacity multimedia (voice, data, imagery) communication networks is fundamental to nearly all Department of Navy (DoN) missions. The current evolution of naval war fighting from a platform-centric to a network-centric paradigm depends on successfully meeting the implied need for significantly enhanced communications and networking capabilities of C2, sensor and weapon systems. These systems are deployed on a variety of platforms and users, both manned and unmanned, operating under challenging battlefield conditions (lack of infrastructure, mobility, spectrum, interference, multipath, atmospherics, size/weight/power constraint, etc.) in different environments (space, terrestrial and undersea). Goal: The goal of the Communications and Networking Program within the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Code 312 is to support the FORCEnet vision by developing measurable advances in technology that can directly enable and enhance end-to-end connectivity and quality-of-service for mission-critical information exchange among such widely dispersed naval, joint and coalition forces. The vision is to provide high throughput robust communications and networking to ensure all warfighters - from the operational command to the tactical edge - have access to information, knowledge, and decision-making necessary to perform their assigned tasks. Objective and Areas of Interest: White papers for potential FY11 Exploratory Development/Applied Research (Budget category 6.2) projects are sought under the following focus areas: 1. Metamaterials and metastructures for phased arrays (UHF, C and X bands), electrically small antennas (VLF to VHF) and parabolic reflector dish beam shaping (relevant SATCOM bands); 2. Advanced low complexity blind beam forming and jammer nulling algorithms/techniques; 3. Low-intercept and anti-jam tactical data link waveforms/networks with high throughput, scalability and low latency; 4. Alternatives to traditional satellite communications and network architectures for on-demand reach back; and 5. Predictive algorithms, models and tools for inferential network, as well as communication link, monitoring (such as recognize electronic attack on communication systems, etc.). 6. Novel concepts for software-defined antenna technologies (multi-resonant over wide bandwidths etc.). ONR is also receptive to highly innovative ideas in other general communications and networking areas that are not designated focus as above, but nonetheless important to Navy/Marine Corps, as determined under the synopsis section above. Work funded under a BAA may include basic research, applied research and some advanced technology development (ATD). With regard to any restrictions on the conduct or outcome of work funded under this BAA, ONR will follow the guidance on and definition of "contracted fundamental research" as provided in the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) Memorandum of 26 June 2008. As defined therein, the definition of "contracted fundamental research", in a DoD contractual context, includes grants and contracts that are (a) funded by Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Budget Activity 1 (Basic Research), whether performed by universities or industry or (b) funded by Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research) and performed on campus at a university or by industry. ATD is funded through Budget Activity 3. In conformance with the USD (AT&L) guidance and National Security Decision Directive 189, ONR will place no restriction on the conduct or reporting of unclassified fundamental research, except as otherwise required by statute, regulation or Executive Order. Normally, fundamental research is awarded under grants with universities and under contracts with industry. ATD is normally awarded under contracts and may require restrictions during the conduct of the research and DoD pre-publication review of research results due to subject matter sensitivity. As regards the present BAA, the Research and Development efforts to be funded consist of applied research. The funds available to support awards are Budget Activity 2. Contracts and grants made under this BAA are for scientific study and experimentation directed towards advancing the state of the art and increasing knowledge or understanding.

High