Endless Generative (End-Gen) Waveforms

The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) seeks information regarding methodologies capable of arbitrary generation of communication waveforms in a wide variety of propagation media. Point-to-point communications are at the heart of innumerable mission spaces spanning a host of different objectives. At present, most communications channels make use of fixed waveforms designed to meet the demands of the - average propagation media and the available communication equipment. The static nature of these waveforms can be disadvantageous to the stability of the communication channel given spatial-temporal variations in the propagation media. Therefore, communications frameworks that can generate on-demand waveforms are especially attractive when the current time and cost of developing new waveforms (1), to meet fluid mission needs, is prohibitively high. This RFI seeks methodologies that, when coupled with appropriate communications hardware, show the potential to achieve on-demand waveforms that meet the required human objectives and limitations of the propagation medium. Such an approach could result in endless generative (End-Gen) waveforms that automatically optimize the communications channel without the constraints of human-generated communications protocols. End-Gen nodes, therefore, will contain frameworks which produce generative waveforms that satisfy any generic mission objective function. End-Gen nodes that create End-Gen waveforms are of keen interest as they allow for the rapid deployment of waveforms to match the real-time change in mission needs. Specifically, IARPA is interested in demonstrating three parts of any End-Gen paradigm: 1) the processing framework needed to generate meaningful communications links, 2) the hardware SWaP (size, weight, and power) required to run the framework, and 3) the sensors/transducers needed to couple framework outputs to the propagation medium. This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a formal solicitation of proposals to fund an End-Gen program for arbitrary waveform synthesis. The RFI is particularly interested in respondents who have experience with breadboard/brassboard-level lab demonstrations to prove feasibility of generative waveform frameworks. While analytical or simulated responses to the RFI questions below will be accepted, any response should cast the solution into how your analytical or simulated results could be used in a laboratory experiment. Additionally, while artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) methods are commonly expected, non-AI/ML methods are also welcome; however, any submitted method should generate waveforms on-the-fly and not resort to table lookups of preexisting waveforms. Responses to this RFI are due no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, June 23, 2024. All submissions must be electronically submitted to contact@example.gov as a PDF document. Inquiries to this RFI must be submitted to contact@example.gov. Do not send questions with proprietary content. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. In response to submissions to this RFI, IARPA may organize an invitation-only workshop for the purpose of reviewing and discussing relevant current and future research. Should a workshop occur, participants may be asked to make formal presentations based on their RFI submissions or associated research. Written submissions and information discussed at a workshop may assist in the formulation of future U.S. Government research. **UPDATE: The Government hereby amends this RFI due date to be Friday, June 28, 2024, @ 5:00 p.m., ET. All other provisions of this RFI remain in full force and effect.