High Efficiency SIGINT Collection

U.S. intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) platforms employ SIGINT sensors for target platform detection, identification and location. Many receivers are narrowband and are scanned over the RF spectrum (e.g., 2-18 GHz) in search of RF emitters of interest. With the rapid proliferation of RF technology, the signal spectrum has become complex and congested placing a burden on the SIGINT receiver to keep up with its surveillance and data processing requirements. However, the receiver must maintain a high probability of intercept for critical emitters. The objective of this SBIR topic is to develop methods for efficient SIGINT receiver data collection and processing. This proposed program will develop a mathematical optimization algorithm that will generate a receiver frequency band scan schedule that maximizes the receiver's resource usage. The algorithm is envisioned to enable the mission planner to prioritize the scan schedule for specific emitter signal intercept. The solution will be applicable to fielded receiver systems such as the ALQ-217, and should not require any hardware modifications. A software prototype that implements the optimization algorithm will be developed, and simulation results will be prepared that demonstrate the advantages of an optimized scan schedule compare to a baseline schedule.