Low Cost High Performance A Size Sonobuoy Power Amplifier

Navy SBIR 20.2 - Topic N202-102

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) - Ms. Donna Attick navairsbir@navy.mil

Opens: June 3, 2020 - Closes: July 2, 2020 (12:00 pm ET)

 

 

N202-102       TITLE: Low Cost High Performance A Size Sonobuoy Power Amplifier

 

RT&L FOCUS AREA(S): General Warfighting Requirements (GWR)

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics

 

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 3.5 of the Announcement. 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 direct drive power amplifier with a controllable output for an A-size source sonobuoy to mature the latest technologies and achieve significant improvements in the capabilities of source sonobuoys.

 

DESCRIPTION: A-size sonobuoys currently in use by the Navy require improvement in order to detect the quieter power and propulsion systems of modern vessels. The Navy desires higher sound pressure levels, a broader frequency band (400-600Hz), and a smaller volume (< 35 in. cubed) than today's traditional architectures, as well as a new power amplifier architecture that enhances the performance and capability of an A-size sonobuoy suitable for a future variant of the AN/SSQ-125.

 

The power amplifier must have the capability to drive the sonobuoy source over a frequency band of 600 to 1100 Hz. The electrical rating [Refs 3, 4] of the amplifier should be adequate for it to withstand the power draw by the system without an electrical breakdown or mechanical failure (thermal failure). The power amplifier should provide a clean output to the system with a very low harmonic distortion. Today's active sonobuoys are key for the Navy in detecting and tracking targets of interest. However, the range of detection and resolution are limited by the source operational performance. A broader operational bandwidth will allow simultaneous search in multiple sub-bands. As the latest source sonobuoys have tight packaging constraints, a new power amplifier architecture that reduces the volume (< 35 in. cubed approximately equal to Diameter: 4in., Height: 3in.), along with an augmentation in capability, is a future source sonobuoy enabler.

 

The power amplifier must be designed so that it can be easily integrated into an A-size sonobuoy. The purpose of this SBIR topic is to design and develop an amplifier that can eventually be incorporated into an AN/SSQ-125. It is recommended to work with the AN/SSQ-125 sonobuoys vendors to understand all the performance specifications and the interface requirements so that the new power amplifier design can be easily integrated into the sonobuoy for demonstration purposes.

 

The key performance objectives of this drive system are as follows:

 

•        Validate the packaging fit within a volume of 35 in. cubed (Diameter: 4in., Width: 3 in.) (threshold) or in less volume (objective).

•        Validate the control can sweep the power output to operate over the specified frequency band.

•        Validate the power amplifier can provide the load required by the transducers.

•        Battery Output:  (5000 W, 50 A, 117 Voc, 5 Ah)

•        Transducers: (800 – 1100 Vrms)

•        Validate it can provide a clean output: Self Noise < 25 dB and THD as follows:

                   

Harmonics                   Normal Operating       Power Level at Full Power

                    Second                                -16 dB                              -25 dB

                    Third                                    -30 dB                              -40 dB

                    Fourth and above                -50 dB                              -60 dB

 

Specifications Requirements:

 

•        The amplifier electrical performance should be tested accordingly to DOD standards (MIL-STD-202G [Ref 3] & MIL-STD-883K [Ref 4])

•        The amplifier must meet DOD electromagnetic compatibility standards (MIL-STD-461G [Ref 5] & MIL-STD-464C [Ref 6])

•        The amplifier must be waterproof and manufacture tailored to sonobuoy environments. (MIL-STD-810H [Ref 7])

•        The amplifier must be able to withstand a depth of 65 – 1000ft (65 -500ft threshold) (MIL-STD-1522 [Ref 8])

 

Although not required, it is highly recommended that the performer to work in coordination with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to ensure proper design and to facilitate transition of the final technology.

 

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DCSA and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

 

PHASE I: Design and develop a power amplifier with a new architecture for an AN/SSQ-125 sonobuoy. The design approach must be compatible with the existing AN/SSQ-125, including the interfaces with the battery and the projector elements. It must fit within the current volume within the AN/SSQ-125.The complete approach that will be pursued must be established in Phase I. Appropriate analyses and top-level drawings should be provided. Demonstrated the design is feasible and cost effective for production. The Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II.

 

PHASE II: Finalize the design, manufacture, and validate that the new design of the power amplifier meets the specified requirements using a power source and dummy loads. Integrate it into an AN/SSQ-125. Demonstrate its performance in an underwater test at NAVSEA Seneca Lake Sonar Test Facility at Dresden, N.Y. using five AN/SSQ-125 sonobuoys. If necessary, make adjustments to the design, fabricate revised prototypes, and repeat the testing and model verification regime.

 

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Continue to refine and test extensively the fabricated prototype, including testing for severe environmental conditions. Revamp the new power amplifier as required and develop the design for manufacturing. Develop low-rate initial production prototypes for follow-on Government testing.

 

Successful technology development would benefit all U.S. Navy source sonobuoys as well as underwater oil and gas equipment operation monitoring. This technology could also be a cost reduction for the price of the source sonobuoy and would provide significant ROI on the many years of follow-on source sonobuoy production (as per buoy price savings) on the invested SBIR funds. This innovation could be used by the audio industry (headphone amplifiers), the geography industry (terrain mapping equipment), and academia (ocean studies, bathymetry, etc.)

 

REFERENCES:

1. Holler, R.A., Horbach, A.W. and McEachern, J.F. “The Ears of Air ASW – A History of U.S. Navy Sonobuoys.” Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation, 2008. https://www.worldcat.org/title/ears-of-air-asw-a-history-of-us-navy-sonobuoys/oclc/720627294 or https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Ears_of_Air_ASW.html?id=VKP-twEACAAJ

 

2. Sherman, C.H., and Butler, J. "Transducers and Arrays for Underwater Sound.” Springer Science+Business Media, 2007. IBSN:978-0 -387-32940-6. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-0-387-33139-3

 

3. MIL-STD-202H (CONSOLIDATED), DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TEST METHOD STANDARD: ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENT PARTS (18-APR-2015) http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0100-0299/MIL-STD-202H_CONSOLIDATED_18APR2015_52148/

 

4. MIL-STD-883K (w/ CHANGE-3), DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TEST METHOD STANDARD: MICROCIRCUITS (03-MAY-2018) http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/MIL-STD-883K_CHG-3_55826/

 

5. MIL-STD-461G, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTERFACE STANDARD: REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS OF SUBSYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT (11-DEC-2015) http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0300-0499/MIL-STD-461G_53571/

 

6. MIL-STD-464C, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTERFACE STANDARD: ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS, REQUIREMENTS FOR SYSTEMS (01 DEC 2010) http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0300-0499/MIL-STD-464C_28312/

 

7. MIL-STD-810H, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TEST METHOD STANDARD: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS AND LABORATORY TESTS (31-JAN-2019) http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/MIL-STD-810H_55998/

 

8. MIL-STD-1522A, MILITARY STANDARD: STANDARD GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF PRESSURIZED MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS (28-MAY-1984) http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-1500-1599/MIL_STD_1522A_1429/

 

KEYWORDS: Active Sonobuoy, Anti-Submarine Warfare, ASW, AN/SSQ-125, Direct Drive Amplifier, A-size