N08-027 TITLE: Wideband Jammer Dynamic Frequency Control for Interference Reduction

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-234, Prowler

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: Develop a method for notching out (reducing RF energy within) tunable frequency bands from the output of a high power (kW) wideband (VHF through L band) jammer.

DESCRIPTION: Wideband jamming systems can interfere with blue force communication, navigation, and identification (CNI) systems over great distances. Modern CNI systems can be frequency agile using rapid frequency hopping to reduce susceptibility to narrow band jamming. Applying notch filters to the output of high power wideband jamming systems is not feasible as the reflected power can damage the jammer. Additionally, rapidly tunable notch filters are unavailable for high power application. Inserting conventional tunable filters between the driver and power amplifier (PA) stages of the jammer often does not result in the desired effect because the system is open loop and does not adjust for the effects of the PA (spurious, harmonics, etc.). Conventional filters also are not rapidly adjustable in bandwidth. A method to reduce the energy in defined bands, both static and dynamic (frequency hopping/agile) is required. A reduction of 30dB minimum within the notch is desired. The notch location and width should be rapidly (<1us) tunable to within 1kHz, with a range in width from 15kHz to 10 MHz . A minimum of 8 dynamically tunable notches are required in order to address a normal complement of CNI equipment.

PHASE I: Develop a method to reduce radiation of RF energy within multiple specified frequency bands. The band center frequency and width should be independently and dynamically adjustable. Prepare a demonstration of the method.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype system meeting the defined objectives above and provide a laboratory demonstration at government facility incorporating an actual jamming system and actual CNI systems.

PHASE III: Develop a flightworthy system suitable for use on naval tactical aircraft. Support integration of the system onto the aircraft and subsequent ground and flight test. Support evaluation by interested ground jamming systems programs.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Commercial applications include preventing interference to systems using adjacent channels by suppressing spurious signals from nearby transmitting systems. This can benefit many systems employing frequency division multiplexing, a substantial portion of the communications industry. It could be used by the cable TV industry to block unwanted channels or reduce interference from other services using the shared cable.

REFERENCES:
1. Kodali, W.P. "Engineering Electromagnetic Compatibility: Principles, Measurements, Technologies and Computer Models." New York: Wiley-IEEE, 2001.

2. Paul, C.R. "Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility." Hoboken: Wiley-Interscience, 2006.

KEYWORDS: Interference Reduction; Notch Filter, Frequency; Agile; High Power; Jamming

TPOC: (760)939-5642
2nd TPOC: (805)989-3443

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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