Autonomous Multi-Function RF Sensor for Unmanned Aircraft

The use of unmanned vehicles is growing around the world, and the Navy is taking advantage of this technology, using unmanned vehicles in a variety of relevant missions.  There is a need for effective sensors onboard these vehicles and autonomous controls to enable new concepts in the employment of these systems.  This SBIR proposes to investigate the use of a multi-function RF sensor, suitable for a variety of unmanned aircraft, and autonomous behaviors for the sensor, enabling a variety of missions. ARTEMIS, Inc. proposes to leverage the technology from our next-generation radar development (the SlimSDR, the result of an Army Phase II SBIR) to meet the requirements of this SBIR topic.  This new system uses cutting edge technology to provide: modular configuration for integration in various vehicles, wideband RF capabilities at multiple bands, arbitrary large-bandwidth waveforms with pulse-to-pulse diversity, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Moving Target Indicator (MTI) all in a single compact package.  The SlimSDR was designed to provide waveform diverse, multi-channel SAR and GMTI functions with frequency support at UHF, L-band, X-band, and Ka-band (plus other bands with additional block converters).  For this SBIR we propose to develop the configuration, integration, and autonomous operation of radar and signal analysis functions (direction finding, signal characterization, etc.) for Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (such as the Firescout) and Tier 2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (such as TERN), with mission concepts including Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Search. For the Phase I effort, requirement specification, architecture development, integration details, and autonomous operation concepts will be investigated and refined in preparation for Phase II prototype flight demonstrations.  First, we will define the system requirements for both vehicle classes and use cases, including the key features, tasks, and cues for autonomous sensor operation and RF performance requirements for SAR, MTI, and passive modes.  Next, we evaluate and refine the SlimSDR capabilities to meet the requirements, including integration with the vehicles and the impact on the vehicle.  The strengths and weaknesses of the approach are also evaluated.  Next, autonomous operation will be developed and lab tested (to the extent possible), to include radar operation in SAR and MTI modes and passive RF modes for signal detection, direction finding, and signal characterization with automated processing and analysis for each mode with feedback of target detection information into the sensor control system, the unmanned aircraft control system, and to the Navy vehicle/sensor operators. In Phase II, a prototype system will be built and demonstrated on our testbed aircraft.  Performance will be measured and validated through comparison with modeled performance results. A Phase III transition plan will also be prepared.