DARPA, within the Department of War, is seeking SBIR solutions for compact wideband tunable RF filters to improve spectrum access and signal integrity for communications and electronic warfare systems. The work calls for developing and modeling a power-efficient filter concept in Phase I, then fabricating and demonstrating five or more packaged filters in Phase II if the effort advances. Phase I requires a 2 to 18 GHz design with at least 4:1 center-frequency tuning and 3:1 bandwidth tuning, along with strong performance in insertion loss, rejection, size, and power consumption. The solicitation is pre-release, opens on May 27, 2026, and closes on June 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC.

## Description

The DoW relies heavily on RF communications and EW systems for critical tactical operations. Current filters often struggle to provide sufficient bandwidth, selectivity, and agility to operate effectively in congested electromagnetic environments. The increasing use of the RF spectrum, coupled with the growing sophistication of adversarial electronic attacks, necessitates advanced RF filtering technologies. The DARPA Wideband Adaptive RF Protection (WARP)[1] program is developing advanced filter and canceller technology to protect wideband receivers from external and self-interference. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) opportunity seeks innovative solutions for wideband tunable microwave filters that offer superior performance in bandwidth, insertion loss, rejection, size, and power. The focus is on protecting wideband receivers from external interference and jamming.

## Objective

Develop and demonstrate wideband, power-efficient and tunable radio frequency (RF) filter technologies that significantly improve spectrum access and signal integrity for Department of War (DOW) communications and electronic warfare (EW) systems.

## Phase I

Phase I is a 6-month effort focused on designing and modeling a compact, wideband filter with a center frequency tuning ratio equal to or greater than 4 to 1 in the frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz, and a bandwidth tuning of at least 3 to 1. The mode of operation may be bandpass, bandstop, or preferably both modes. Phase I will demonstrate the viability of the proposer’s technical approach. This will include analytical feasibility studies and modeling showing the proposed solution can meet the filter technical metrics listed in Table 1. Simple experimental demonstrations may also be included to help support the proposed concept. Deliverables for Phase 1 include quarterly financial reports; a kickoff technical report; an interim technical report; a final detailed technical report outlining the proposed technology and how it compares with existing commercial filters; proof-of-concept analysis and/or simulations; a preliminary filter design; a fabrication process; a risk assessment and mitigation strategy; a detailed Phase II work outline; and a commercialization plan outlining target markets, strategy, and potential DoW insertion opportunities. There will also be a kickoff meeting, quarterly meetings, and a closeout meeting. Details on Milestones and the Milestone schedule can be found in Appendix A.&nbsp;Table 1: Filter Metrics<figure class="table"><table style=";"><tbody><tr><td style="border:1.0pt solid windowtext;padding:0in 5.4pt;width:141.3pt;">Frequency range</td><td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:solid;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:159.95pt;">2 – 18 GHz</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;width:141.3pt;">Center frequency tuning</td><td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0in 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:159.95pt;">= 4:1</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;width:141.3pt;">Bandwidth tuning</td><td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0in 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:159.95pt;">= 3:1</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;width:141.3pt;">Insertion lossNoise figure</td><td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0in 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:159.95pt;">&lt; 3 dB (passive)&lt; 8 dB (active)</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;width:141.3pt;">Out of band rejection</td><td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0in 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:159.95pt;">&gt; 40 dB</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;width:141.3pt;">In-band IIP3</td><td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0in 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:159.95pt;">&gt; 15 dBm</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;width:141.3pt;">Out-of-band IIP3</td><td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0in 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:159.95pt;">&gt; 60 dBm</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;width:141.3pt;">Size (packaged)</td><td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0in 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:159.95pt;">&lt; 20 cc</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt;width:141.3pt;">Power consumption</td><td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0in 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:159.95pt;">&lt; 250 mW</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;Phase I fixed payable milestones for this program should include:<ul><li>Month 1: Initial Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns. Phase I Kickoff Meeting.</li><li>Month 3: Interim Technical Report providing an update on the technical progress and status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 5: Draft Final Technical Report outlining the proposed technology, including how it addresses all the characteristics listed in the Phase I description section, and how it compares with existing commercial filters. The Draft Final Technical Report should additionally summarize/include proof-of-concept analysis and/or simulations; preliminary filter design; fabrication process; risk assessment and mitigation strategy; and commercialization plan outlining target markets, strategy, and potential DoW insertion opportunities.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 6: Final Technical Report outlining the proposed technology, including how it addresses all the characteristics listed in the Phase I description section, and how it compares with existing commercial filters. The Final Technical Report should additionally summarize/include proof-of-concept analysis and/or simulations; preliminary filter design; fabrication process; risk assessment and mitigation strategy; and commercialization plan outlining target markets, strategy, and potential DoW insertion opportunities. Detailed Phase II work outline. Presentation of results at a Phase I closeout meeting.</li></ul>

## Phase II

The goal of Phase II is to demonstrate five or more functioning packaged filters that meet the technical metrics of the program using the design from Phase I. The phase consists of up to 36 months to fabricate the filters, and package functioning devices. During the base period, prototype devices will be fabricated and tested to validate performance against the program metrics. Deliverables for Phase II include quarterly technical and financial reports; a strategy report for packaging functioning devices; a final technical report listing the measured performance of the prototype filters against the metrics; and an updated commercialization plan with target markets, strategy, and potential DoW insertion opportunities. There will also be a kickoff meeting, quarterly meetings, and a closeout meeting.&nbsp;Phase II fixed payable milestones for this program should include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Month 1: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as issues and concerns. Phase II Kickoff Meeting.</li><li>Month 4: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 7: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 10: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 13: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 16: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 19: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 22: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 25: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 28: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 31: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 34: Technical Report providing an assessment of project goals, progress, status, as well as any issues and concerns. Demonstration of prototype to Government team.&nbsp;</li><li>Month 35: Draft Final Technical Report listing the measured performance of the prototype filters against the metrics in the Phase I description section and an updated commercialization plan with target markets, strategy, and potential DoW insertion opportunities.</li><li>Month 36: Final Technical Report listing the measured performance of the prototype filters against the metrics in the Phase I description section and an updated commercialization plan with target markets, strategy, and potential DoW insertion opportunities. Strategy Report for packaging functioning devices. Presentation of results at a Phase II closeout meeting.</li></ul>

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

Phase III refers to work that derives from, extends, or completes an effort made under prior SBIR funding agreements, but is funded by sources other than the SBIR program. Microwave filters are dual-use technology. Commercial applications include telecommunications, cognitive radios, software defined radios (SDR), and test equipment. Military applications include communications, signals intelligence, and electronic warfare. Under Phase III, the small business should focus on commercializing the filters and must obtain funding from either the private sector, a non-SBIR federal source, or both, to develop the prototype into a viable commercial product for sale in military or private sector markets.

1778457813636.pdf

The DPA26BZ02-NV007 SBIR opportunity seeks innovative solutions for compact, wideband tunable radio frequency (RF) filters to enhance spectrum access and signal integrity for Department of War (DoW) communications and electronic warfare (EW) systems. The objective is to develop power-efficient filters capable of operating effectively in congested electromagnetic environments, protecting wideband receivers from interference and jamming. Phase I, a 6-month effort, focuses on designing and modeling filters with specific tuning ratios and bandwidths in the 2-18 GHz range, aiming for superior performance in insertion loss, rejection, size, and power consumption. Deliverables include technical reports, preliminary designs, risk assessments, and a commercialization plan. Phase II, lasting up to 36 months, involves fabricating and demonstrating five or more functioning packaged filters that meet the technical metrics from Phase I. Phase III emphasizes commercialization of these dual-use microwave filters for both military and commercial applications, seeking funding from non-SBIR sources.

COMPACT WIDEBAND TUNABLE FILTERS

SBIR Opportunity Analysis

SBIR Documents

Related SBIR/STTR Opportunities

Opportunity Snapshot

Key Dates