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Underwater Near Field High Data Rate Non-Acoustic Communications
Navy SBIR 2016.1 - Topic N161-035 NAVSEA - Mr. Dean Putnam - dean.r.putnam@navy.mil Opens: January 11, 2016 - Closes: February 17, 2016 N161-035 TITLE: Underwater Near Field High Data Rate Non-Acoustic Communications TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Electronics, Sensors ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS 394A (Undersea Research and Strategy) Sea Shield technologies. The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the solicitation. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: Develop a non-acoustic full duplex High Data rate communications path between a submerged attack submarine and an external entity at short, tactically useful ranges. DESCRIPTION: The goal of this SBIR topic is to devise a means to conduct High Data Rate underway communications at short-to-very short ranges (100 meters or less) using non-acoustic means between a host submarine and payloads such as the Large Displacement Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (LDUUV), Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDV), or other similar vehicles (references 1 and 3). This topic has previously been studied in academic and government sponsored research (references 2 and 3). These studies show how optical modulation (vice acoustic) can be utilized to transmit information underwater, and what wavelengths of light best propagate. The intent of this SBIR is to leverage the existing body of knowledge of this topic for application to current Navy Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) and launch and recovery programs such as the Universal Launch and Recovery Module (ULRM). The submarine force has a requirement to extend the sensor reach and influence of the attack submarine force. The ULRM helps address this requirement by providing a large diameter payload interface for the Virginia Class SSN and Ohio Class SSGN submarines which is capable of submerged launch and recovery of LDUUV and other potential payloads. Many proposed missions for the LDUUV and other UUVs will require extensive data-taking and eventual transfer to the host submarine, surface ship, or shore facility for data reconstruction and analysis. In the event of a multi-day mission involving bathymetric or sonar surveys, the required data transfer will rapidly become extremely large (Gigabytes of information). Current design concepts for ULRM require the submarine to recover the UUV or payload and conduct required data transfer or mission uploads using wet-mate connectors, extremely short range Wi-Fi, hard drive replacement by the operator, or some other means. The ability to securely transfer very large amounts of data to the host submarine via a short-range, secure, communications path would provide significant tactical and operational advantages to the submarine fleet. Furthermore, a non-acoustic (blue laser or similar communications path) provides advantages of acoustic security over a higher frequency acoustic modem. Current underwater acoustic modems can provide a transmission bandwidth of approximately 10Kbps while a blue/green laser modem could potentially operate with a bandwidth up to 1Gbps or greater. Current technology requires a submarine to retrieve a UUV onboard to conduct data exfiltration following a tactical mission. This process can take a significant amount of time (up to hours depending on the means used) or require manned access to the vehicle. This requirement decreases the operational availability (Ao) of the UUV and also reduces the ability of the SSN to conduct multiple missions simultaneously. An ideal design solution would allow a submerged submarine to conduct two-way high data rate communications of 1Gbps with an undersea vehicle (unmanned or otherwise) operating in close proximity. It would use a non-acoustic transmission medium (such as blue green laser) that operated at wavelengths that would readily propagate through the ocean environment to short ranges up to 100m but not less than 10m. Power requirements for data transmission on the antenna and receiver will be constrained by energy limitations of the smaller undersea vehicle. An ideal design solution would require no more than 75 Watts of the available power so that efficient and rapid data transfer can be conducted and still leave adequate margin for further operations. A Targeting and Tracking System (TTS) will also be necessary to account for two free-swimming bodies and could employ a traditional mechanical gimbal or non-traditional manner to affect the TTS. The design solution should be scalable such that, if it proves feasible, alternative communication paths between two submarines or submarines and other naval or airborne assets (at greater tactical ranges) can be employed. A submarine could electronically poll a UUV in close proximity, retrieve tactically relevant mission information without conducting a recovery evolution, and then pass new tasking on to the UUV. This capability will introduce mission flexibility into a commanding officer’s use of the UUV. The ability to conduct high data rate underwater communications will also help improve the ability of the submarine force to conduct Special Operations Force (SOF) missions when communicating with SOF submersibles or other submarines operating in close proximity. It is desired that development efforts be focused on multi-wavelength interlacing and/or high Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) to achieve the desired baud rate that can be readily leveraged to address this operational challenge. If a feasible, affordable technological solution can be devised, the Program intends to develop for possible incorporation in the ULRM program. This will improve the ability of the submarine to better execute multiple mission areas using external payloads such as the LDUUV, SOF vehicles, and potentially Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). PHASE I: In Phase I, the company will develop a concept for a non-acoustic full duplex High Data rate communications path and assess the feasibility of this concept, taking into account the special challenges of this application (such as expected submerged light propagation, and power restrictions of UUVs). Product outputs should include recommended solutions and a prototype concept. The feasibility of this concept should be demonstrated through modeling and simulation. The Phase I Option, if awarded, should detail the design and capabilities for Phase II. PHASE II: In Phase II the company will develop a non-acoustic full duplex High Data rate communications path prototype based on the recommended design concept from Phase I which demonstrates the performance detailed in the description and specified by the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW). Desired output of Phase II is a component level prototype suitable for standalone (not installed on a SSN or UUV) testing in an ocean environment. Success in Phase II would entail a successful prototype demonstration of the ability to reliably transmit High Data Rate at significantly greater bandwidth over existing acoustic and non-acoustic modems in an ocean environment at a range of 10m (threshold) to 100m (goal). Testing can be performed in the Naval Undersea Centers of Excellence, or commercially comparable facilities, as specified in the Phase II SOW. Successful exit from Phase II will include a transition plan for entry into the Acquisition Program to be executed as part of Phase III. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The company will be expected to support the Navy in transitioning the non-acoustic full duplex High Data rate communications path technology to Navy use. The company will deliver a detailed design suitable for incorporation into an existing Program of Record such as the Universal Launch and Recovery Module (ULRM). Tactically useful designs will be incorporated into the Detailed Design process for the ULRM, LDUUV, and other programs for operational testing and eventual fielding. The oil and gas field exploration industry is the largest commercial user of Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUV). They employ tethered Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) and UUVs to explore ocean floor bathymetry and survey existing oil field ocean floor structures such as pipelines and wellheads. If developed, this technology could be employed by commercial users to transmit hydrographic and sonar survey data to operating and analysis stations more rapidly than existing processes allow. REFERENCES: 1. Vikrant, Anjesh Kumar, Dr. R.S.Jha,. "Comparison of Underwater Laser Communication System with Underwater Acoustic Sensor Network." International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 3, Issue 10, October-2012 1. Retrieved from: http://w 2. Scholz, Thomas. Dr. "Using Laser Communication Above Water and Underwater." Sea Technology Magazine; 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.sea-technology.com/features/2011/0511/laser_communication.php KEYWORDS: Universal Launch and Recovery Module (ULRM); laser communications; Large Diameter Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (LDUUV); Blue-green laser; high data rate transmission; two-way high data rate communications TPOC-1: Jason Starck Phone: 202-781-4438 Email: jason.starck@navy.mil TPOC-2: John Newton Phone: 202-781-7456 Email: john.p.newton@navy.mil Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.
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