RFI: Best Practices in Distributed General-Purpose Radio Frequency (RF) Signal Processing

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Multi X Office is seeking input through a Request for Information (RFI) titled RFI: Best Practices in Distributed General-Purpose Radio Frequency (RF) Signal Processing, issued under solicitation number DARPA-SN-26-90. The RFI aims to gather insights on innovative approaches to standardizing the control, scheduling, and processing of advanced RF systems to improve performance, efficiency, and interoperability in complex operational environments. DARPA is particularly focused on reducing the cost and development time required to transition laboratory-scale RF prototypes to tactical platforms. Responses are sought on technical areas including standardization of RF hardware control using interfaces like ACPI and novel API designs, aperture scheduling, distributed computing architectures that leverage both general-purpose processors and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and heterogeneous acceleration of RF processing through optimized use of CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, and ASICs to lower latency and power consumption. Respondents are expected to address capabilities and challenges, provide theoretical or simulation-based analysis, outline development strategies aligned with measurable outcomes, estimate time to availability, assess risks, and define both current state-of-the-art benchmarks and what would constitute revolutionary progress through quantifiable metrics. The RFI is issued exclusively for information and program planning purposes and does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or a binding contract, in accordance with FAR 15.201(e). As such, there are no pricing, delivery, evaluation factors, or contract administration requirements associated with this notice. Submissions must be submitted as a single integrated response via email to DARPA-SN-26-90@darpa.mil by July 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and must be formatted as an unprotected Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or PDF file using 11-point font, 1-inch margins, and 8.5-by-11-inch page size. The response is limited to a one-page cover page, a maximum of eight total pages for the technical response (with no more than two pages per technical area), up to two pages for references, and one summary slide. Invitations to attend a potential follow-up workshop will be extended based solely on the relevance of submissions. The NAICS code for this action is 541715, and all inquiries should be directed to the primary point of contact at the specified email address.