SBIR-STTR Award

Reliable System Services Corporation (RSS Corp.) proposes a 6-month program to analyze, develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a low cost, low power, high capacity, robust RF communications network using UAV relays. The developed architecture will be suitable for the Navy tactical environment. A specific application would be for the planned Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) missions, although the developed architecture will have broader applications for any surface combatant requiring an Over-the-Horizon (OTH) data link to distributed sensors. A conceptual design for the IP network radio System will be developed, and an optional early demonstration (Phase 1) is proposed as a bridge to more extensive development, testing and demonstration in Phase 2. A successful Phase 1 program will produce a conceptual design for a Navy tactical communications system utilizing a UAV relay that is consistent with FORCENet. A successful Phase 2 program will demonstrate the capability in an ocean environment, using a UAV relay, surface ship and ocean sensors. The results will be significant, and the developed system could be a cornerstone of the future littoral combat communications architecture. The developed technology will also have use in any application requiring net centric, wide bandwidth data collection from distributed remote sensors. Benefit The anticipated benefits and potential commercial applications of the technology and products developed under this SBIR Topic are significant and fill an immediate need within the DOD Digital Battlefield Concept for Net Centric High Data Rate communications. The anticipated product and system architecture will consist of proven technology, small size, low cost COTS adapted and ruggedized into a Tactical environment. The markets consist of Naval and Land combatant Joint Manned and Unmanned Net Centric battlefield systems for the DOD. Other DOD applications include Test Ranges where remotely distributed measurement sensors, fixed/mobile, can be tied into a wireless networked high rate data acquisition system. The wireless capability allows the sensors to be networked and deployed in flexible configurations and thus avoid limited fixed plant FO and copper wire communications. Commercial and homeland defense applications are for high data rate wireless networks for multiple remote sensor deployments in indoor/outdoor environments. These consist of Seaport security, Nuclear security, Airport security, Border security and security of other high value/densely populated assets requiring ruggedized wireless high data rate communication of remote sensor suites. Keywords Net-centric, Low-power, multiport, small, Communications, data-link, Over-the-Horizon, UAV Relay

Reliable System Services Corporation (RSS Corp.) proposes an 18-month program, with a 6-month option, to analyze, design, develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a low cost, low power, high capacity, robust RF communications network using UAV relays in an ocean environment. The developed architecture and design will be suitable for the Navy tactical environment and consistent with FORCEnet. A specific application would be for the planned Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) missions, although the developed architecture will have broader applications for any surface combatant requiring an Over-the-Horizon (OTH) data link to distributed sensors. A successful Phase II program will demonstrate the capability, in an ocean environment, using a UAV relay, surface ship and ocean sensors. The results will be significant, and the developed system could be a cornerstone of the future littoral combat communications architecture. The developed technology will also have use in any application requiring net centric, wide bandwidth data collection from distributed remote sensors. The Phase III effort will develop engineering/production specifications/drawings and produce low-cost modules/ subsystems for; Shipboard, UAV Relay and remote sensor network communications in a tactical ocean environment. The end result will be leveraging of COTS technology to produce low-cost tactical communications networks for Navy combatants.

Benefit:
A successful Phase II program will produce a productized design for a Navy networked tactical communications system for remote sensors utilizing a UAV relay that is consistent with FORCENet. A successful Phase II program will demonstrate the capability in an ocean environment, using a UAV relay, surface ship and ocean sensors. The results will be significant, and the product(s) could be a cornerstone of the future Littoral Combat Ship communications architecture. The anticipated product and system architecture will consist of proven technology, small size, low cost COTS adapted and ruggedized into a Tactical environment. The markets consist of Naval and Land Combatant Joint Manned and Unmanned Net Centric battlefield systems for the DOD. Commercial and homeland defense applications are for high data rate wireless wide area networks for multiple remote sensor deployments. These consist of perimiter security of Airports and Seaports, border security, and security and functional monitoring of energy transport infrastructure such as oil/gas pipelines and electrical transmission grids.

Keywords:
Netcentric, UAV relays, Consistent with FORCEnet, RF communications network, Disadvantaged ocean sensor network communications, Secure, low power low cost units., leveraging COTS 802.11 technology, satellite reachback and seamless handoff