The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "Signal Cueing in Complex Environments" as part of their SBIR 24.2 Annual solicitation. The Navy branch is specifically interested in this topic. The objective is to design and develop a parallel system of adaptive machine learning (ML) cue generators that can effectively respond to different signal classes in the electromagnetic spectrum monitoring (ESM) systems. The technology falls under the Advanced Computing and Software, Integrated Sensing and Cyber, and Trusted AI and Autonomy critical technology areas.
Currently, most systems use a single cue generator to locate signals in the electromagnetic environment. However, future systems require a system of multiple cue generators operating in parallel. The proposed system should be able to handle a wideband data stream and deliver conclusions to a prioritizer/scheduler. The SBIR topic aims to prototype this system, starting with the development of the required data movement system in Phase I and demonstrating its functionality in Phase II.
Phase I proposals should include evidence of access to an ML implemented cue generator and an understanding of the complexities involved in building a scaled-up system. The proposals should describe a potential architecture for the system and address challenges such as signal data handling and analysis time variations. A lab demonstration for the N=2 case is highly desirable during Phase I.
In Phase II, an experimental demonstration of an N=2 system should be performed using a government off-the-shelf (GOTS) or commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) digitizer and a complex environment signal generator. The performance of the cue generators should be verified under increasing background signals and abrupt shifts in signal content. Integration with a patterns of life generator and the prioritizer should also be considered.
Phase III applications are expected in reconfigurable systems with multiple functions. The integration of the parallelized cueing subsystem into existing multi-functional systems is a likely government use case. In the commercial domain, applications in the tele-com industry for suppressing pirate applications operating on commercial infrastructure are anticipated.
The solicitation is currently open, with a release date of April 17, 2024, and a closing date of June 12, 2024. More information can be found on the grants.gov website or the DOD SBIR/STTR Opportunities page.