PRAD Proposers Day Questions.docx
DOCX document 30 KB Posted
- Attached to
- POWER Receiver Array Demonstration (PRAD) PS
- Solicitation number
- DARPA-PS-24-25
About this file
This document contains questions and answers related to the Power Receiver Array Demonstration (PRAD) Proposers Day, which is part of the DARPA POWER program. The key details are:
The PRAD program seeks to develop and demonstrate a ground-based laser power beaming receiver. The solicitation anticipates a single award for a performing team that may include multiple companies. The testing will be conducted at White Sands Missile Range, with a 860-meter test path and potentially longer multi-kilometer distances. Performers are expected to bring their own measurement equipment and cannot assume the availability of water hookups or a provided mechanical structure. Specific technical details are provided, including the anticipated 1.03-1.08 mm wavelength range, requirements for the electrical output, and potential challenges from non-uniform beam illumination and atmospheric scintillation. Interested performers should be aware of the referenced technical papers. Follow-on opportunities for additional testing may be available in the future, but are not currently funded.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PRAD_Proposers_Day_combined_v1d_DISTAR 40178_aspresented.pptx | PPTX presentation | |
| DARPA-PS-24-25_Amendment 1.pdf | ||
| PRAD_EFFORT_NAME-TYPE_Summary_Quad.pptx | PPTX presentation | |
| DARPA-PS-24-25.pdf |
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UNCLASSIFIED
POWER Receiver Array Demonstration (PRAD)-PS-24-25 Comment by Taylor, Charles (contr-tto): Please add classification markings top and bottom - assuming UNCLASSIFIED...
Questions
1. How many companies will receive funding?
a. Award is anticipated for a single performing team. This team can be comprised of multiple companies.
2. What path length is desired for the outdoor test at White Sand Missile Range (WSMR)?
a. There will be a test at 860 meters, and possibly tests at multi-kilometer distances.
3. If there are complementary technologies being developed by multiple applicants, are they permitted to collaborate?
a. Yes.
4. Are there any expectations for the prototype to be IP-67/68 compliant?
a. No, but outdoor testing is anticipated.
5. Can the awarded funds be used for to pay for services performed by Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)? Comment by Taylor, Charles (contr-tto): Recommend rewording to something like “… be used to pay for services performed by ...
a. Yes.
6. Will the exact beam wavelength be provided at some point?
a. A narrower wavelength range may be specified after award. See also answer to question 11.
7. Is there data on the beam uniformity at the target?
a. Performers should not assume the beam will be uniform.
8. Are there preferences for the cooling considerations?
a. Cooling systems should be self-contained. Performers should not assume there will be water hookups available.
9. Will the in-kind cost share be considered?
a. Yes.
10. Is the cost-sharing still required if a non-profit/university sub is included?
a. Cost sharing is not a requirement, it is one alternative by which a traditional defense contractor may qualify for an Other Transaction (OT). If a nonprofit research institution participates to a significant extent in this prototype project, then cost sharing would not be required. See also Section 3.2.b.1 of the Program Solicitation.
11. Given that photovoltaic cells can have different band gap energies, what are the operational wavelengths that should be considered during the PRAD demonstration?
a. Wavelength is anticipated to be between 1.03 μm and 1.08 μm. See also answer to question 6.
12. The PRAD PS did not mention a target distance. Is there a target distance that should be considered when undergoing testing?
a. See answer to question 2.
13. Is power management under our own discretion?
a. Yes.
14. Are there any preferences on the output waveform coming out of the power receiver?
a. Outputs that are conducive to effective measurement and commonly used military and commercial modalities (such as MIL-STD-3071) are preferred. For instance: DC voltages from 5V-50V, AC voltages from 12V-240V at 50/60 Hz.
15. Will this be connected to any tactical microgrid that needs specific input?
a. No.
16. Is the test laser equipped with adaptive optics to help mitigate atmospheric-induced scintillations?
a. No.
17. Can you provide details about the beam quality and spatial mode structure of the laser?
a. No. See answer to question 7.
18. Is the laser CW? Pulsed? What is the repetition rate of the laser pulses?
a. The laser is continuous wave (CW).
19. What is the target environmental conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity) during the experiment?
a. The test is planned for High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility (HELSTF) at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in March 2025, with the corresponding temperature, pressure, and humidity conditions.
20. Is within 1030 nm to 1080 nm the only operating range for the demonstration?
a. Yes. Comment by Taylor, Charles (contr-tto): Somewhat inconsistent with answer 11, in that answer 11 contains a qualifier and 20 is a definitive statement.
21. Will WSMR/HELSTF provide access to instrumentation for thermal offloading?
a. No.
22. What measurement equipment & instrumentation will be available for use on site?
a. Performers should plan to bring any needed measurement equipment & instrumentation.
23. Could the government define 'relay handshaking, beaconing, and interlock systems' with sufficient detail to perform interfacing while ensuring no harm to the system.
a. Interface information will be specified after award.
24. Please characterize 'adverse performance impacts' as related to disuniform illumination and scintillation.
a. Disuniform illumination and scintillation may present thermal and conversion efficiency challenges to an unknown degree. This possibility should be addressed in performer’s designs.
25. Is it permissible for the thermal management system of the receiver to be configured into a non-portable mode for active power beaming?
a. All PRAD testing is anticipated to occur while the receiver is stationary.
26. Is there a specific voltage requirement applied to the receiver when generating electrical output power?
a. See answer to question 14.
27. Does the performer need to provide dummy loads or charging systems along with the receiver?
a. The receiver must have an effective means of supporting independent measurement of the level of power output. Performers may provide loads or other systems to address this as needed.
28. Will the government furnish a mechanical structure to mount the receiver? If yes, will that mechanical structure be capable to offload thermal heat?
a. The government will not furnish a mechanical structure to mount the receiver.
29. Can the government provide mechanical and electrical ICD documentation?
a. Any required interface control documentation (ICD) will be provided after award.
30. Are follow-on opportunities expected for additional testing and demonstration activities?
a. Follow-on opportunities are anticipated but not currently funded.
31. Are there any available protocols or information on existing POWER relay handshaking, beaconing, and interlock systems?
a. See answer to question 23.
32. What resources should prospective performers be aware of?
a. A list of papers is below. Government endorsement is neither expressed nor implied. All of this information is available to the public, but some items may require purchase for access.
Papers:
On the fundamental efficiency limits of PV for optical power transfer applications (2013) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6744317 74.7% Efficient GaAs-Based Laser Power Converters at 808 nm at 150 K (2022) https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/9/8/579 Beaming power: Photovoltaic laser power converters for power-by-light (2022) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542435121005407 VMJ LPCs with 61% Efficiency at 30 W Output Power and with Tolerance to Beam Non-Uniformity, Partial Illumination, and Beam Displacement (2023) https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/10/8/940
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