High-Dynamic Range Weather Band Active Electronically Steered Array with Virtual Gimbal (1023-014-002)

SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) proposes to develop a High Dynamic Range (HDR) multiband active electronically steered array (AESA) using a virtual gimbal to receive weather data streams from meteorological satellite data broadcasts for the Navy. By combining SI2Æs beam steering capabilities with sensor data, active antenna aiming will result in optimal data reception without the need for any moving parts. SI2Æs approach has attracted the attention of of a prime contractor who will support SI2 with requirements definition, integration assistance, and high-fidelity system modeling in Phase I and provide system integration and system validation in Phase II. The multiband AESA will cover the 1.65 - 2.25 GHz and 5.8 -14.5 GHz range to account for legacy and new Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), Advanced High Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT), Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), and European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) weather satellites. BAE will also provide technical expertise on software defined radios (SDR) and modems to enable a full communications system solution. SI2Æs solution offers the ability to support both transmit and receive from 5.8 - 14.5 GHz, supporting half duplex datalink and PLEO Ku band SATCOM. This expands the mission profiles far beyond HDR weather reception and adds future support for new satellites through the addition of wide band coverage.