TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors, Space Platforms

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Communications Satellite Program Office, ACAT I, PMW-146

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Reuse Planning Tool software product to help maximize the capacity of UHF SATCOM resources with overlapping earth coverage areas. The UHF Reuse planning tool will leverage the strengths of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software applications, such as Satellite Toolkit and QualNET, to provide an integrated solution for frequency use planning and modeling the performance of different frequency reuse strategies. The tool shall demonstrate actual quantitative performance benefits gained by utilizing a frequency reuse strategy.

DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Navy�s UHF Follow-On (UFO) satellite constellation currently operates using a spatial separation of frequencies. Spatial separation requires that satellites with overlapping coverage areas utilize different frequencies within the UHF band. This separation of frequencies completely eliminates the interference caused by adjacent satellites operating in the same frequency, but half of each satellite�s bandwidth capacity remains unused in a spatial separation strategy. This inefficiency will be further compounded with the scheduled launches of five Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) UHF communications satellites beginning in late 2009.

In order to make maximum use of its UHF resources, the Navy will need to employ a successful UHF frequency reuse strategy. Frequency reuse allows overlapping coverage areas to utilize the same frequencies and minimizes interference by utilizing directional antennas in the areas of overlap. Frequency reuse has the potential to significantly increase overall communications capacity to the warfighter using existing and planned SATCOM resources.

The U.S. Navy has a need for a planning tool that will allow communications planners to model UHF SATCOM resource configurations and assess the performance of different reuse strategies. This research project will focus on development of spectrum management algorithms and UHF interference models for use in a successful UHF Reuse Planning Tool. Spectrum management algorithms will maximize UHF reuse opportunities by optimizing both the allocation of UHF communications channels and the deployment of directional UHF antennas within overlapping coverage areas.

The UHF Reuse Planning Tool must be able to simulate the performance of UHF SATCOM terminals and satellite transponders under normal operating conditions and provide a quantitative assessment of the interference caused by a reuse strategy. The tool will leverage the analysis and visualization capabilities of COTS software, such as STK and QualNET, while providing an integrated and easy to use interface. The graphical user interface (GUI) will provide the communications planner the capability to rapidly configure different reuse scenarios and will facilitate ease of use and training. Additionally, the tool must maintain a database of available UHF SATCOM resources, including available SATCOM terminals, deployable terminal platforms, available modems, available antennas, existing and proposed satellites, and the associated satellite payloads, to be used in reuse strategy assessment scenarios.

PHASE I:
� Assess the potential gains in UHF SATCOM capability realized by employing a reuse strategy.
� Develop spectrum management algorithms for the optimization of UHF reuse strategies.
� Develop the CONOPS and data requirements for the UHF reuse planning tool.
� Develop a prototype model for frequency reuse utilizing COTS simulation software, such as STK and QualNET, and assess its feasibility for use in an integrated UHF Reuse Planning Tool.
� Develop the preliminary design for the UHF Reuse planning tool and a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) for Phase II development

PHASE II:
� Develop a prototype UHF Reuse planning tool based on the preliminary design and POA&M from earlier Phase I research and analysis.
� Demonstrate system feasibility, conceptual design, database design, and interface capability.
� Develop a practical approach for the implementation of the UHF Reuse planning tool in a real-world setting.

PHASE III:
� Refine the UHF Reuse CONOPS to more accurately reflect real-world needs.
� Design and develop a modular, scalable, and reusable system by expanding on the prototype developed in phase II.
� Integrate the ability to model existing industry and military resources into the system.
� Incorporate automation capabilities into the UHF Reuse tool.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL.DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The UHF Reuse Planning Tool has significant potential in defense industry and commercial satellite operations, where UHF SATCOM constellations are competing for space in the congested UHF spectrum. The tool has the potential for expansion into the commercial satellite telephone industry where demand for bandwidth continues to increase and cost of bandwidth is high. The resulting UHF Reuse Planning Tool would provide a valuable assessment of frequency reuse strategies leading to increased bandwidth efficiency and reduced bandwidth cost.

REFERENCES: 1. Navy Team Responds to Bandwidth Challenges in Support of War Efforts with Innovative Employment of UHF Follow-On (UFO) and LEASAT Satellites; M. Mattis, N. Butler, J. Turner; 4th Responsive Space Conference April 24-27, 2006, Los Angeles, CA

2. MILCOM 2000: UHF SATCOM Antenna Architectures: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/
login.jsp?url=/iel5/7245/19554/00904041.pdf

KEYWORDS: modeling, SATCOM, UHF, frequency reuse, overlapping beam, interference

TPOC: Jack Nicholson
Phone: (619)524-7768
Fax:
Email: [email protected]
2nd TPOC: Pat Browne
Phone: (858)537-8617
Fax: (619)524-7861
Email: [email protected]

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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