Attachment 1 - PWS Draft.pdf

Attachment I

Dynamic Frequency Comb Applications Performance Work Statement

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Fiber Sources and Applications Group (675.02), at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Boulder Colorado campus, develops novel applications of frequency combs for optical time transfer, spectroscopy and ranging. Of particular relevance here, this group has developed frequency comb-based optical two-way time-frequency transfer (O-TWTFT) that can allow frequency comparisons and time synchronization across a distributed network of clocks. They have also developed dual-comb spectroscopy for open-path atmospheric sensing.

II. SCOPE OF WORK

A. OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

This Fiber Sources and Applications group requires the development of a real-time signal processor based on an FPGA and microprocessor architecture to enable femtosecond frequency comb optical time transfer in dynamic environments where platform motion introduces large Doppler shifts and other perturbations. The developed system will allow a local frequency comb to function as a tracking oscillator in both the time and frequency domains, ensuring accurate, photon-efficient timing measurements despite motion-induced frequency shifts.

B. GENERAL

Regular Business Hours:

Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Local Time, excluding Federal holidays and NIST closures.

Period of Performance/Delivery Date:

Nine (9) Months After Release of Order (ARO)

C. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall complete the following tasks:

Task 1 - CW laser integration into comb control system

The system will measure the doppler shifts by recording the heterodyne signal between a local clock-stabilized cw laser and an incoming clock-stabilized cw laser from the moving platform.

We require the contractor to develop firmware and algorithms to process this signal in real-time to resolve in the Doppler shift on the incoming light and will then steer the local cw laser to maintain a constant frequency offset while also maintaining a phase lock between the tracking comb and the local cw laser. All the developed tracking firmware should ensure that all rf signals are maintained within a 50 MHz acquisition bandwidth.

Task 2 - Development of a real-time signal processor for optical time transfer in the presence of platform motion. Draf t

The contractor shall:

2.1 Develop a high-performance FPGA-based processing system to support real-time frequency comb signal tracking and correction. This system will build off the architecture described in https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06032-5, and will use two frequency comb stabilized to local clocks at each node. The real-time signal processor records the interference of an incoming frequency comb timing signal with a local tracking comb.

2.2 The system will perform the above functions in the presence of Doppler shift of up to +/-8 GHz on a 200 THz carrier. Moreover, the system must be able to track changes in platform motion equivalent to a 4 GHz/minute slew rate.

2.3 System will also provide feedback signals to optical and ceo locks of the tracking frequency comb. These locks must be slewed using fast digital control to acquire and maintain overlap of incoming pulses with the local tracking comb.

2.4 Design and test the system for robust performance in the presence of simulated platform motion, ensuring accurate time transfer over optical links.

2.5 Assist the NIST team in converting the heterodyne and correction signals into a real-time measurement of clock offset at the femtosecond level

For code developed under above tasks, the following specifications shall be met:

1. All code shall be covered with unit tests to at least 95% to verify functionality and to guard against regressions from future refactoring, extension, and/or bug fixes.

2. All code shall be supplemented by software test benches that enable simulation and unit testing without the need for hardware. Testing code may be written in Matlab or Python.

3. All code shall be documented by appropriate comments and naming conventions (in addition to Task 2 above.)

4. Proprietary or closed-source software, including FPGA IP cores, shall not be used unless the Contractor has previously verified NIST already owns such IP cores.

5. Code shall be organized to be reviewed by the Government on a regular basis, as specified in the deliverable table (Section IV). The results of the reviews are to be integrated into successive development steps.

6. This code shall be compatible with the existing firmware and custom NIST real-time processor for optical two-way time transfer.

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7. All project software being developed shall be maintained in a suitable repository (e.g., GitHub) to allow Government to monitor development progress and provide rapid feedback when changes are needed.

8. The documentation shall include a description of the basic algorithms and their implementation in the DSP or FPGA. The documentation shall also include a basic mathematical description of the algorithm appropriate for publication in a scientific journal.

The code shall be implemented on the custom NIST real-time processor shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Existing real-time digital signal processor hardware for the optical time transfer. The digital signal processor for the dual-comb spectroscopy is similar to this design but uses a different FPGA. The digital control system for the frequency combs is located at https://www.nist.gov/services-resources/software/fpga-based-digital-control-box-phase-stabilization-frequency-comb.

III. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The development work shall be completed at the Contractor’s facility. Any required onsite testing and meetings will be conducted at the NIST, Boulder, CO campus, specifically Bldg. 1 (i.e., the Radio bldg.) and Bldg. 81 (i.e., the Precision Measurement’s Lab). The Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) may direct the flow of technical matters while on the Boulder campus.

https://www.nist.gov/services-resources/software/fpga-based-digital-control-box-phase-stabilization-frequency-comb https://www.nist.gov/services-resources/software/fpga-based-digital-control-box-phase-stabilization-frequency-comb

IV. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

All property, data, and information provided by the Government in the performance of these tasks remains the property of the Government and will be surrendered to the Government upon completion or termination of this requirement. Likewise, all deliverables generated under this requirement remain the property of the Government.

V. DELIVERABLES

Number

Description Format Quantit y Due Date

1 CW laser integration into comb control system

Code deposited to GitHub repository

1 6 Months

ARO

2 Development of a real-time signal processor for optical time transfer in the presence of platform motion

Code deposited to GitHub repository

1 9 Months

ARO

VI. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY

Desired Output Required Service

Quality Standard Monitoring

Method

Consulting Services in laboratory tasks and scientific research

All Tasks Research is of high scientific quality and conducted consistent with NIST, government and industry protocols, standards, and policies. Professionalism, quality, timeliness, and customer service are consistent with industry standards for the services provided. Services are timely, appropriate and responsive to contract requirements. Less than two deficiencies per period are observed.

Periodic inspection via TPOC monitoring or customer feedback

Scientific data entry, log entries, and other technical written work

All Tasks Documents require less than one major revision. Government requests for clarification or correction are responded to within five business days. No incidences where responses are outside of 5 business days.

Documentation shall be reviewed monthly by the

TPOC.

Safety All Tasks Requires 100% compliance with all safety requirements governed by Federal/State/Local law & regulation, NIST/unit policies, and lab procedures. At the start of performance contractor

Periodic inspection by TPOC. Draf

Desired Output Required Service

Quality Standard Monitoring

Method personnel will be provided NIST specific safety training totaling approximately 10 hours.

Reports and presentations

All Tasks Clear and accurate and made in a professional manner. Draft presentations and reports submitted for approval in a timely manner 100% of the time. Less than two major revisions are necessary per contract period.

Documentation shall be reviewed monthly by the

TPOC.

VII. STANDARDS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF DELIVERABLES

The NIST Point of Contact (Technical Point of Contact) will provide comments on each deliverable within 21 calendar days from receipt of a given deliverable. The Contractor shall make requested changes to the reports within 21 calendar days from receipt of electronic or written comments from the NIST Point of Contact. The NIST Point of Contact will provide written notification when a deliverable is accepted.

VIII. TRAVEL

It is anticipated the Contractor will be required to make at least one visit of one week or less to meet with NIST personnel either in Boulder, CO or at another meeting location per year. Travel costs will adhere to federal travel regulations, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2021-title41-vol4/pdf/CFR-2021-title41-vol4.pdf.

IX. CONTRACTOR’S MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Contractor shall serve as the Key Personnel position “Algorithm and Signal Processing Lead” on the project.

• Shall have staff with a Ph.D. in physics or electrical engineering

• Shall have over eight years’ experience in engineering embedded systems hardware and firmware, digital signal processing.

• Shall have expertise in multiple areas of signal processing including communications, frequency/time generation, and transfer, analog and digital electronic design, as demonstrated by past work experience.

• Shall have expertise in VHDL, Verilog, C, C++, Python, Matlab

• Shall have demonstrated substantial experience with and successful prior independent implementation of:

o Electro-optic systems with femtosecond timing jitter, such as fiber laser frequency combs or other related technologies.

o Complete embedded system development including development of system requirements, hardware design, build, testing, and code development. Systems should include use of FPGA, DSP, Ethernet, serial peripherals, o Development of embedded digital electronics products for basic science research

• Shall have specific expertise in the NIST firmware and software used in the NIST frequency comb controller and the real-time digital signal processors of the NIST OTWTFT system.

This expertise includes demonstrated experience making modifications to the NIST firmware and software.

• Shall have experience working closely with physical scientists as end customers. References shall be provided from previous basic science collaboration work, attesting to the qualification of the Contractor for a project of this nature and the ability to communicate with physical scientists.

• Or, a demonstrated equivalent combination of education, training, and experience can be used to meet the minimum qualifications. This person shall be able to perform, document, and improve difficult science and engineering tasks. This person typically has recognized competence through a track record of technical contribution; experience with solving complex technical problems; and effective written and oral English communications for the specific task.

X. CONFIDENTIALITY

The information developed under this contract is the property of the US Government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

XI. REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12:

The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) and its employees who require physical access to NIST facilities or logical access to NIST IT networks or systems must comply with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12, Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors; OMB M-05-24; OMB M-19-17; FIPS 201, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors; NIST HSPD-12 policy; and Executive Order 13467, Part 1 §1.2.

The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) must submit a roster by name, position, e-mail address, phone number and responsibility, of all staff working under this acquisition where the Contractor will develop, have the ability to access, or host and/or maintain a government information system(s).

The roster must be submitted to the TPOC and/or CO within 14 days of the effective date of this contract. Any revisions to the roster as a result of staffing changes must be submitted within 14 days of the change. The TPOC will notify the Contractor of the appropriate level of investigation required for each staff member. If the employee is filling a new position, the Contractor must provide a position description and the Government will determine the appropriate suitability level.

Position Sensitivity Designations Requirement

All Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) employees must obtain a background investigation commensurate with their position sensitivity designation that complies with Parts 1400 and 731 of Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

The following position sensitivity designation levels apply to this solicitation/contact:

Low

Additional Requirements:

Safety: The Contractor employee must be responsible for knowing and complying with all installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for access for entry into buildings and is shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus.

Identification Badges: Contractor employees must comply with NIST identification and access requirements. Each Contractor employee must wear a visible identification badge provided by the NIST Security Office.

Vehicle Registration: All Contractor employees must register their vehicles with the NIST Security Office to gain access to the campus. A valid driver’s license, Government-furnished civilian ID, proof of insurance and current registration must be presented to the NIST Security Office, at which time a NIST vehicle pass will be issued. The pass shall be displayed on the vehicle in accordance with NIST Security Office instructions.