SBIR-STTR Award

Metamagnetics proposes to develop a custom frequency selective canceller (FSC) module, based on their proven Auto-tune Filter (AtF) technology, to enable continuous connectivity to the Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) during jamming missions. The FSC module, which has already been demonstrated in a laboratory environment at TTNT frequencies, automatically and selectivity cancels high-power interferers while minimally impacting lower-power signals of interest. The FSC module is capable of selectively rejecting a threat by >50 dB, whether it is in-band/near-band, modulated, or CW, without the need for a sense antenna or any complicated digital signal processing. Unlike traditional fixed/tunable notch filters, active beam nulling, and solid-state limiters, the FSC can automatically track threats and adjust its cancelling response in real time, without user input. It can selectively suppress multiple dynamic threats simultaneously that are changing in both power level and frequency, all without affecting signals of interest. The FSC technology is an extension of Metamagnetics Auto-tune Filter (AtF) technology which is being transitioned into two major platforms.

Benefit:
The frequency selective canceller has potential to be a major disruptive interference excision technology because it 1) does not require a sense antenna, 2) can be made to be passive (i.e. not require any power supply or computer feedback), 3) supports multiple simultaneous dynamic threats, and 4) can be made on a board that is the size of a small text book. Typical interference excision systems require sense antennas and large racks of signal conditioning circuitry and equipment, which makes them expensive to purchase and operate. Furthermore, they do not handle multi-threat rejection and are extremely challenging to tune over temperature and bandwidth. Metamagnetics FSC module can replace these massive, power-hungry excision systems in a small, lightweight form factor that can simply be inserted between the primary antenna and receiver and provide a substantial SWAP+C benefit. In this proposal, we plan to develop, test, and insert a FSC module into the EA-18G Growler to enable communications-while-jamming, which is a common scenario when high-power emitters are active and co-located to sensitive communications receivers. This in-line solution requires minimal change to the existing architecture and almost no overhead in terms of power consumption, weight, and volume on the Growler. If successful, a wide range of co-site interference scenarios can be addressed with custom builds of the FSC technology in both military and commercial markets.

Keywords:
co-site, co-site, magnetic, cancellation, spinwave, anti-jam, Ferrite, interference excision, Frequency selective limiter

Metamagnetics proposes to develop a custom frequency selective canceller (FSC) module, based on their proven Auto-tune Filter (AtF) technology, to enable continuous connectivity to the Advanced Tactical Data Networks (ATDN) during jamming missions. The FSC module, which has already been demonstrated in a laboratory environment at these frequencies, automatically and selectivity cancels high-power interferers while minimally impacting lower-power signals of interest. The FSC module is capable of selectively rejecting a threat by >50 dB, whether it is in-band/near-band, modulated, or CW, without the need for a sense antenna or any complicated digital signal processing. Unlike traditional fixed/tunable notch filters, active beam nulling, and solid-state limiters, the FSC can automatically track threats and adjust its cancelling response in real time, without user input. It can selectively suppress multiple dynamic threats simultaneously that are changing in both power level and frequency, all without affecting signals of interest. The FSC technology is an extension of Metamagnetics’ Auto-tune Filter (AtF) technology which is being transitioned into two major platforms.