SITIS Topic Details

Proposals Accepted:  
Program:  STTR
Topic Number:  AF10-BT29 (AirForce)
Title:  Holographic Radar Signal Processing
Research & Technical Areas:  Sensors
  Objective:  Develop novel holographic approaches to radar signal processing tasks.
  Description:  At optical wavelengths, holography has been used to produce 3-dimensional images, provide dense data storage, provide security features for documents, etc. One particularly intriguing use is optical associative memory, where many images can be stored in a single hologram, and a complete image can be retrieved by illuminating the hologram with a partial image. The principles of holography are valid for all wave phenomena, and should apply at radar frequencies as well. Holography has already been used in the design and fabrication of radar antennas, mainly to achieve a desired radiation pattern from an arbitrary (usually conformal) antenna surface. Other aspects of holography have not yet been exploited in radar systems. The Air Force is interested in leveraging holographic principles to improve radar signal processing. Possibilities include, but are not limited to: (1) A radar associative memory that stores many targets of interest. In a chaotic radar environment, partially-obscured targets would elicit a complete image from the memory, and this would aid target identification. (2) An associative memory that separates features of interest from clutter in range and Doppler data. (3) Holographic security and authentication methods that distinguish “true” radar returns from false returns fabricated by the enemy. These examples are given for illustration only. The offerer is free to propose other holographic techniques and address other radar signal processing tasks. Some techniques may require configuring the antenna as a hologram, with the desirable result of moving signal processing tasks “forward” into the antenna itself. However, holographic signal processing structures separate from the antenna are also of interest. There are a number of potential users and benefactors of this technology. Certainly all military radar systems can benefit. Various commercial wireless systems can benefit as well. Any system that requires authenticated transmissions, or needs to separate desired signals from noise, ghost reflections, etc., can benefit from this technology.

  PHASE I: Design and demonstrate the feasibility of a holography-based radar signal processing method. Fully define the task being addressed, the principles involved, and the proposed solution. Present sufficient modeling data (simulation or physical model) to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.

  PHASE II: Build a prototype of the holographic radar signal processing architecture. Demonstrate and test the performance and utility of the system to include, but not limited to, factors to quantify the performance, environmental stability, and fabrication-repeatability. Deliverables from Phase II should include demonstration of the prototype system, performance and test data, and the final report.

  PHASE III

  DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military Application: Holographic techniques will speed up radar signal processing in general, and provide more accurate signal authentication and target identification. Thus, it will benefit all military radar systems. Commercial Application: Commercial users of radar, such as weather forecasting and air traffic control, will benefit. Other wireless applications such as TV, satellite and mobile telecommunications, will also benefit.

  References:  1. A. Petosa, et al. (2004) "Microwave Holographic Antenna with Integrated Printed Dipole Feed". Electronic Letters, 40: Sep. 2004.

2. T. Hirvonen, et al. (1997) "A Compact Antenna Test Range Based on a Hologram". IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 45, #8, Aug 1997

3. B. H. Soffer, et al. (1986) "Associative Holographic Memory with Feedback Using Phase-Conjugate Mirrors". Optics Letters, 11: 118-120.

Keywords:  holography, radar, signal processing, associative memory
Questions and Answers:
Q: 1. Are you expecting proposals to address storing radar microwave holographic fringes directly in a storage medium and later reconstructing using a microwave reconstruction beam (as is done for optical holography)?

2. Can computer signal processing techniques be used for the realization of associative memory and readout from it?
A: (1) Yes.

(2) Yes, as long as microwave holography plays *some role* in your proposal. We will favor solutions where the physical process of holography, i.e., the interference of two beams, actually occurs at some point—either in the operation of the system, or in the production of equipment or patterns. If your solution involves computational holography only, we will need to consider how suitable it is for later migration to a physical holographic implementation.

As of midnight September 1, questions for solicitations SBIR 10.3 and STTR 10.B will no longer be accepted.
To read the solicitation for full proposal preparation and submission details click here.

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