EXPEDITIONARY WARFARE C4 TECHNOLOGIES

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in receiving proposals for innovative Command, Control, Computers and Communication technologies that will enhance the warfighting capabilities of Naval Expeditionary forces. These technology areas include: Basic Research (phenomenology: TRL 1-2) Mathematical Trust Models: Certificate-based, especially centrally-managed, authentication of mobile users is often not practical in tactical networks when through put is at a premium, central authentication authorities are not reachable, and security sessions time out because of poor link conditions. We desire to explore fundamental and generally applicable mathematical representations of trust that could ultimately be applied to wireless network user authentication with little to no prior knowledge of the user's desire to join the network. Recent research in attribute-based encryption and in other areas, may offer promise when applied to the decentralized, efficient authentication problem. Generalizable and provable methods are plusses, as specific future applications may not be discernible and the need to satisfy accreditation authorities will be paramount. Applied Research (proof of concept: TRL 2-4) HF Antennas: Electrically small HF (2-30 MHz) antennas continue to be a daunting research challenge for both vehicular and small unit technologies. HF antennas must be able to support future waveforms that extend the instantaneous bandwidth from 3 kHz to 24 kHz or be able to support noncontiguous channels. Furthermore, antennas are needed that are dual-polarized to support NVIS, skywave, and ground wave or antennas that can steer their beam and point to the direction of propagation. HF antenna designs and feeding schemes that show promises are sought for either/both vehicular or man-pack applications. Vehicular antennas must be able to handle 400 Watts, and man-pack antennas must be able to handle 20 Watts. Possible enabling technologies include but are not limited to slow wave miniaturization, electromagnetic band gap or high impedance surfaces, and material loading. Advanced Technology Development (military utility demonstration and prototyping: TRL 4-6) Broadband Amplifiers: Hand-held devices are power hungry and are limited by the efficiency of their power amplifiers. Likewise, modern communications require complex waveforms with both envelope and phase modulation. Therefore, broadband, linear, efficient 5 Watt power amplifiers that cover 225-5000 MHz are sought for handheld devices. Enabling technologies include but are not limited to tunable power amplifiers, wide band gap semi-conductor devices, LINC (linear amplification using non-linear techniques), and class J amplifiers. Adaptable Antennas: Adaptable antennas that show promise in either reducing the footprint (inter-element spacing of ~lambda/10 at low frequency), or reduction in electrical height are sought that seek to cover the frequency range of 225-5000 MHz. The ability for the antennas to adapt to the RF environment to achieve high directionality and to be on a reasonable path toward low cost for handheld applications are a plus. Performance improvement due to adaptability of antenna should be demonstrated. Enabling technologies include but are not limited to reconfigurable antennas, tunable antennas, and electronically steerable parasitic antennas radiators.