Low Elevation Nulling of Global Positioning System (GPS) Jammers for Ground-Based Platforms

This proposal addresses the Army SBIR program objective to develop a cost-effective nulling antenna unit capable of nulling multiple low elevation GPS jammers for ground based platforms. The proposed Mayflower Low Elevation Antenna Nuller (M-LEAN) system consists of a circular array and a miniaturized AE module based on the Mayflower AJ ASIC chip set (Beacon RF ASIC and Vanguard Digital AJ ASIC) in an integrated assembly compatible with the Army program objectives of small size (27 cubic inches) and low cost ($1000). The Mayflower LEAN (M-LEAN) unit will be a stand-alone GPS AJ system (i.e. no requirement to modify the GPS receiver of the ground-based platform) which is capable of nulling multiple low-elevation jammers to a level in excess of 30 dB for broadband jamming and 40 dB for narrowband jamming. The Phase I study effort will analyze the feasibility of the proposed M-LEAN system to meet the Army program objectives by performing detailed antenna performance simulations along with the proposed antenna control algorithm and demonstrate its feasibility. The Phase II effort will leverage the government investment at Mayflower in the anti-jam ASICs for cost reduction, develop a form-fit antenna prototype, and implement and test the M-LEAN antenna electronics with Mayflower ASIC chip set to make it affordable. The Phase II effort will also demonstrate the performance and the cost savings of M-LEAN system for Army missions.