Miniature, software-defined Man-Portable Doppler Radar (MPDR) for Atmo

Published on SBIR.gov (https://www.sbir.gov)

Miniature, software-defined Man-Portable Doppler Radar

(MPDR) for Atmospheric Measurement
Agency:
Department of Defense
Branch:
Army
Program | Phase | Year:
SBIR | Phase I | 2016
Solicitation:
DoD 2016.1
Topic Number:
A16-028

NOTE: The Solicitations and topics listed on this site are copies from the various SBIR agency
solicitations and are not necessarily the latest and most up-to-date. For this reason, you should use
the agency link listed below which will take you directly to the appropriate agency server where you
can read the official version of this solicitation and download the appropriate forms and rules.

The official link for this solicitation is:

http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/sbir20161/index.shtml

Release Date:
December 10, 2015

Open Date:
January 11, 2016

Application Due Date:

February 17, 2016

Close Date:
February 17, 2016

Description:

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate an innovative compact, man-portable,
ruggedized software-defined Doppler RADAR (Radio Detection And Ranging)
system for the measurement of atmospheric winds and adverse weather features
(e.g. thunderstorms, cloud fronts, etc…) that will have advanced characteristics
such as adjustable RF waveforms allowing for versatile radar adaptability.
DESCRIPTION: There has been considerable interest and development in the
use of software-defined radios for use in adaptable, multi-mission, micro-Radar

Page 1 of 4
 Miniature, software-defined Man-Portable Doppler Radar (MPDR) for Atmo
Published on SBIR.gov (https://www.sbir.gov)

development. Software-defined radar is a versatile radar system, where most of

the processing, like signal generation, filtering, up-and down conversion,
demodulation is performed by software. Most of the current efforts have been
research oriented and have not delivered systems that are robust for practical field
measurement. Within the Department of Defense, the U.S. Air Force have existing
programs for development of portable Doppler RADAR systems but are
operationally targeted less for direct tactical use in a local environment than to
larger areas, typically out to 180km and large systems (>2000 lbs). The US Army
has the need for real-time, high-resolution, short range tactical weather sensing
that is critical for military applications such as forward-area Precision Airdrop
(PAD), aviation operations including landing zones and weather hazard warning.
There have been recent development efforts for the miniaturization of Coherent
Doppler LIDAR (Light detection and ranging) sensor systems that can measure
atmospheric winds in clear air but these systems fail to perform in degraded
visibility conditions. Also, the range of these systems is not adequate for providing
useful warnings of impending weather-related hazards. Man-portable Doppler
RADAR systems, especially via software-defined technology, can improve the
overall situational awareness within a tactical scale volume and can improve
operational performance for aviation systems and mobility. The Size, Weight, and
Power (SWaP) required for man-portability into forward-areas will require systems
with volumes less than 30L and weights less than 20kg to enable a single soldier
to carry the system. This is the limiting size and weight for a single soldier to carry.
Also, for these systems to gain practical use requires an efficient use of power for
the sensor operation. Although the science involved in Doppler RADAR sensing is
well developed, there still exists areas that pose barriers for successfully
developing a man-portable RADAR. One of these barriers is in the use of novel
waveforms that can allow for both detection of adverse weather and overcome
potential problems with RF jamming. Also, as the overall RF power of the RADAR
is reduced, novel methods will likely have to be employed for the efficient signal
processing. There are complex technical barriers that will also have to be
overcome for the successful development of a man-portable Doppler RADAR. As
the size of Doppler RADAR decreases, the expected wavelength will also likely
have to decrease due to the required size of the RADAR antenna to fit the man-
portability requirement. This will likely force the system to operate in the X band of
the RF spectrum. Also, most of the current Doppler RADAR's employ either a
rotating antenna (single beam) or phased array for delivering the beam.
Miniaturizing this component of the RADAR poses technical problems regarding
Page 2 of 4
 Miniature, software-defined Man-Portable Doppler Radar (MPDR) for Atmo
Published on SBIR.gov (https://www.sbir.gov)

both the optimal design to fit within the SWaP requirements and necessary
functional constraints posed by the overall RF power and gain required for
improving Signal to Noise(SNR). Another technical barrier is the development of
compact signal processing/waveform generation electronics that ideally would be
able to adapt to different sensing scenarios such as rapid update near field
sensing, extended range sensing, and hard target detection.
PHASE I: Effort should be directed toward the development of initial design of the
proposed miniature, software-defined MPDR system concept. Detailed algorithms
for radar signal generation and processing should be evaluated, using a
combination of real data and high fidelity simulation for effectiveness in wind and
aerosol/cloud detection under various atmospheric conditions. Results should be
documented. Strengths and deficiencies should be clearly identified. The
preliminary design should be configured with optimized performance and ready to
be implemented in hardware during Phase II. The man-portable design
requirements are for the overall system to weigh less than 20Kg and have a
volume less than 30L.The system should be designed to be capable of measuring
atmospheric winds to 10km with adverse weather detected at 15km.
PHASE II: Develop a proof of concept breadboard prototype to demonstrate the
technologies and capabilities identified and explored in Phase I. Upon completion
and demonstration of proof of concept device, further develop the system to a
prototype to reduce the size, weight and power (SWAP) of the MPDR sensor such
that it weighs less than 20kg and does not occupy a volume larger than 30 L. The
system should be capable of measuring atmospheric winds to 10km with adverse
weather detected at 15km. Demonstrate the capabilities of the system in a field
study. Expected maturity level at completion of Phase II is TRL 5.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The prototype should be further refined
toward commercialization. The offeror should work with Army scientists and
engineers, along with potential industry partners, to identify and implement
technology transition to military and civilian applications. Civilian applications
include aviation hazard warning for airports. Some specific military objectives
under phase III could be operational testing with US Army Pathfinders supporting
forward area aviation operations (such as precision air drop and landing zone
support) as well as testing with US ARMY aviation operations providing support
during landing and takeoff phases of flight which represent the greatest hazard for
flight operations.

Page 3 of 4
 Miniature, software-defined Man-Portable Doppler Radar (MPDR) for Atmo
Published on SBIR.gov (https://www.sbir.gov)

REFERENCES:

0. Debatty,T., ” Software defined RADAR a state of the art,”

Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Cognitive
Information Processing, 14-16 June 2010, pp. 253-257, (2010).

0. Wiesback, W., “SDRS: Software-Defined Radar Sensors,”,

Proceedings of the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium,
2001. IGARSS ’01 Conference, 9-13 July 2001, pp. 3259-3261 vol. 7
(2001)

0. Garmatyuk, D.; Schuerger, J.; Kauffman, K., "Multifunctional Software-

Defined Radar Sensor and Data Communication System," Sensors Journal,
IEEE , vol.11, no.1, pp.99,106, Jan. 2011

KEYWORDS: Atmospheric remote sensing, RADAR, Doppler, software-defined

radio, Weather radar

TPOC-1: David Ligon

Phone: 301-394-1799
Email: david.ligon@us.army.mil

Page 4 of 4