N142-102 TITLE: Micro Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 213

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN NATIONALS: This topic is "ITAR Restricted". The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign nationals may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign national who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal may be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Design and develop a micro Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder system, with capability for Modes 1, 2, 3/A, C, 4, 5, S, and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) in/out, that meets the space, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements for Group 2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

DESCRIPTION: Current IFF transponder systems were designed many years ago to the requirements of manned aircraft. They are large, heavy, and consume too much power for many applications in today's smaller, unmanned aircraft. Crypto appliqués currently available are also too large and heavy for small UAVs. The successful concept will be an IFF transponder system, compliant with Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System IFF Mark XII System (AIMS) 03-1000B and RTCA (previously known as Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics and now known only by the initials) DO-260B, contained in a package of less than 7 cubic inches (threshold), with an objective target of 3.5 cubic inches.

Civilian IFF systems have made some progress, one example being a Mode 3/A, C, S package of about 3.5 cubic inches, but it has no capability for encryption or modes 1, 2, 4, 5 or Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B). The technical challenge for this project is to miniaturize the crypto package, which is currently about four times the target volume. In addition, both civil air traffic control (ATC) modes (3/A, C, S) and military modes (1, 2, 4, 5) must be included, as well as power handling capabilities and aircraft bus communication circuits, all while hardening the entire package to operate in the military unpressurized fighter environment.

Minimum required performance standards will be defined by the UAV Annex to AIMS 03-1000B, but with developer's discretion to meet the full set of requirements defined by AIMS 03-1000B. It will have capability for Modes 1, 2, 3/A, C, 4, 5, S, ADS-B in/out, and provisions for Mode 5 Level 2 Broadcast when available. The microtransponder system should be capable of receiving and retaining the applicable encryption keys for all encrypted IFF modes. Use of aircraft power is required, but the transponder must be capable of operating on battery power for extended periods, enabling military IFF capability in small military UAVs with a possible extension to dismounted soldiers. Output power will be at the discretion of the developer but should be at least 250 watts (peak) and be capable of being amplified for longer range operations. Input and Output should include DC power in, RF signal in/out, and aircraft communications with the flexibility to use a variety of protocols that may include Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553, or RS-232. The product must meet the standard military environmental requirements for unoccupied carrier based aircraft spaces to 50,000 feet. The dominant trade will be between range and volume. The successful concept should optimize the output power in a package that meets the size requirements. To put the crypto in an appliqué or embed within the module will be a design decision, and allocation of the limited volume between the components is up to the designer. Any Phase I company selected to move onto Phase II will need the ability to obtain a security clearance.

PHASE I: Determine the technical feasibility of a high level design, and required parts and processes to manufacture. Develop the external interface control specifications, module level functional allocation to internal components, and SWaP requirements. Estimate the output power available and feasibility of meeting the full set of AIMS 03-1000B requirements. Demonstrate the capability to produce component level product layout on a scale compatible with the final objective design criteria.

PHASE II: Produce and demonstrate flyable prototype hardware based on Phase I work. Complete laboratory testing in a relevant environment, per MIL-STD-810 [5].

PHASE III: Integrate the system into lead platform. Demonstrate compliance with certification requirements in a relevant operational environment, per MIL-STD-810 [5].

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Without the military modes, the concept will be applicable to sense and avoid capability in small UAVs. This technology complies with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiatives to integrate UAVs into the National Air Space and is vitally important for full scale commercial UAV employment.

REFERENCES:
1. AIMS 03-1000B, Technical Standard for the ATCRBS/IFF/MARK XIIA Electronic Identification System and Military Implementation of Mode S, 25 January 2013.

2. RTCA DO-260B, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for 1090 MHz Extended Squitter Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Information Services – Broadcast (TIS-B), 13 December 2011.

3. MIL-STD-461F, Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic, Interference, Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment, 10 December 2007.

4. MIL-STD-464C, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements for Systems, 1 December 2010.

5. MIL-STD-810G, Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests, 31 October 2008.

6. MIL-STD-1472G, Department Of Defense Design Criteria Standard: Human Engineering, 11 January 2012.

7. MIL-STD-704C, Aircraft Electrical Power Characteristics, 30 December 1977.

KEYWORDS: Transponder; UAV; AIMS; ADS-B; Micro IFF; Embedded Crypto

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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