TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Joint Tactical Radio System, Network Enterprise Domain (NED) ACAT I

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 scalable Software Communications Architecture (SCA) suitable for implementing Software Defined Radios (SDRs) in personal-mobile packaging that can be configured to meet DOD waveform and Type 1 high-assurance encryption requirements but can also be optimized to implement unencrypted non-DOD specific waveforms at minimal production cost.

DESCRIPTION: The Software Communications Architecture (SCA) utilized by the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) provides a common architecture for Software Defined Radios (SDRs) that can host current and planned military and commercial radio communications waveforms; this enables fielded radio systems to maintain capabilities and interoperability by loading software updates rather than replacing the complete radio systems. However, the available SCA Core Framework (CF) implementations have been optimized for multi-channel, DoD radios. The resulting size and complexity may be incompatible with the size, weight, power, and production cost constraints for small form factor, personal-mobile, and inexpensive public service/consumer radios. Additionally, improvements in the SCA could possibly enhance the performance of waveform software applications or alternatively reduce the cost of the processing components used. "Lightweight" SCAs have been described in literature since 2002 [Ref 2], and approaches have been proposed by different organizations. New technologies are available and it should be possible to improve the current specification.

PHASE I: Conduct design trade studies and perform a proof-of-concept demonstration for a lightweight, scalable, high assurance SCA for small form factor SDR transceivers. The study shall identify performance criteria, any changes needed to the baseline JTRS SCA, and applicable test tools needed to implement the approach.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a lightweight, scalable, high assurance SCA "reference implementation" on a small form factor SDR transceiver. Document as a stand-alone architecture and also as a change proposal package to the current JTRS SCA.. Demonstrate the implementation in accordance with performance criteria developed in Phase I.

PHASE III: Transition the "lightweight" SCA technology to applicable small form factor JTRS developments and other low-cost or non-DOD applications, including the Department of Homeland Security Project SAFECOM and potential first responder transceivers.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: There is currently a significant market demand for an affordable SDR in certain DoD/Government Agency, emergency services, Homeland Security, and high-end consumer/hobbyist applications. The product of this project will provide an industry standard that can be leveraged to create new products for these markets.

REFERENCES:
1. North, Brown and Schiavone, "Joint Tactical Radio System � Connecting the GIG to the Tactical Edge", Proceedings MILCOM�06, 23-25 Oct 2006.
Source: (http://enterprise.spawar.navy.mil/UploadedFiles/JTRS_OVERVVIEW_MILCOM06_v12.pdf)

2. SDR Forum Security Working Group, "High-Level SDR Security Requirements", document SDRF-06-A-0002-V0.00, 19 January 2006. Source: (http://sdrforum.org/uploads/pub_37308206_a_0002_v0_00.pdf)

3. Murotake, Fuchs, Martin, Fette, Reed & Robert, "A Lightweight Software Communications Architecture (SCA) Launcher Implementation for Embedded Radios", Proceedings SDR Forum Technical Conference, 17-19 Nov 2003.

KEYWORDS: Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), Software Communication Architecture (SCA), Information Assurance (IA), software defined radio (SDR), software tools, lightweight SCA.

TPOC: Dean Nathans
Phone: (619)524-6609
Fax: (619)524-4522
Email: [email protected]

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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