CLOSED-LOOP GLOBAL POSTIONING SATELLITE (GPS) SIMULATION

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Munitions Directorate Advanced Guidance Division (RWG) is currently managing efforts to develop and test GPS anti-jam navigation technologies. As part of this effort, RWG is seeking industry information on real-time closed-loop GPS simulation capabilities for Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) anti-jam systems. The requirements are described below: 1. The capability is required to perform wavefront generation for a 7 element CRPA system on a vehicle maneuvering under closed-loop control in 6 degrees of freedom. A typical simulation scenario would involve a weapon INS/GPS connected to the GPS simulator, the output of the navigation system would feed a seeker and avionics package on a motion simulator. Actuation commands would drive a simulation of the weapon dynamics which in turn would drive the GPS simulator and flight motion simulator. Numerous test environments could be envisioned for ground and space based support components, including the need for operation in complex urban environments. 2. GPS simulation technologies are required to test weapon guidance and navigation solutions under a variety of conditions. These conditions may temporarily disrupt or degrade GPS reception. The ability to replicate global positioning constellation signals, jamming signals - including intentional disruption (large numbers of jammers with very high target J/S levels) and environmental effects, in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop environment is required. The ability to replicate self-induced and naturally occurring environmental effects is desired, e.g., ionosphere, scintillation and multi-path scattering models. The simulator should be capable of operation in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop environment interfacing with closed-loop weapon simulations, e.g., state data would drive the GPS simulator through a SCRAMNet GT run-time interface. The simulator would in turn, present GPS signals affected by the described environmental influences. Latencies of 10 milliseconds or less and updates rates of 100Hz or more are desired. Both digital and RF outputs are necessary for facility data collection and simulation. In addition to GPS (L1, L2 (C/A and Y codes)), the ability to replicate other navigation signals is also desired (Galileo and GLONASS, L5, M-code and signals from Asian navigation systems). This is a Request for Information (RFI) from potential sources capable of demonstrating relevant experience with real-time closed-loop GPS simulation technologies. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. The government will evaluate the respondent's capabilities based on experience in the following: a) GPS simulation technology, b) CRPA anti-jam test systems, c) jamming signals simulation and d) real-time closed-loop simulation. References for simulation systems delivered are required. Based upon the responses to this RFI, an Industry Day may be announced at a later date. This RFI is not a request for proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Any information submitted is voluntary. Responses to this RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. Responses to this notice shall be mailed to the AFRL Contracting Division, AFRL/RWK, 101 West Eglin Blvd, Bldg 13, Eglin Air Force Base, FL 32542-6810, ATTN: Ms. MiMi Martin, or sent electronically to mimi.martin@eglin.af.mil. Please provide electronic responses with this subject: RFI for CLOSED-LOOP GLOBAL POSTIONING SATELLITE (GPS) SIMULATION. Responses must be received no later than 3 PM CDT on 1 August 2011. For technical questions, please contact Mr. Shawn Goodrich, at 850-882-4628.