Low SWaP Tactical Ultra-Secure Communications System

In this Phase II effort, Cryptic Vector (CV) leverages our successful Phase I feasibility study of the CV LPD Chaotic Sequence Spread-Spectrum (CSSS) waveform and notional prototype SDR design to produce a Technical Readiness Level 6+ prototype system. The system implements terrestrial and satellite communications links to support beyond line-of-sight operation. Cryptic Vector’s LPD CSSS waveform provides extreme LPD undetectability performance, even in the presence of advanced adversary observers, due to its wideband energy spreading and operation at negative signal-to-noise ratios. The CV LPD CSSS waveform was shown in Phase I to be resistant to traditional radiometer detection methods as well as advanced cyclostationary analysis techniques that can detect traditional LPD waveforms. Novel extensions to the base waveform, including high data rate modes via multiple orthogonal codes, expand the high data performance while provided LPD characteristics. The Phase II prototype proposed here meets or exceeds the technical requirements set forth in the request for proposal, including extreme LPD undetectability performance for terrestrial and SATCOM data links at a variety of orbits and operating frequencies, high data rates approaching 1 Gbps, low size, weight, and power characteristics resulting in an approximately 0.5 kg base prototype, and the ability to support numerous waveforms and LPI/LPD techniques. Cryptic Vector proposes a modular hardware architecture utilizing stackable circuit card assemblies (CCAs). Custom RF CCAs are proposed providing significant size, weight, and power advantages over traditional block up/down converters. A high-performance, low-power custom Software-Defined Radio will provide all baseband waveform processing capabilities.