5_-_Backscatter_WiFi_SOW.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Investigation Into Advanced Backscatter Communication In Wireless Flight Systems

Program Office

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, California

Table of Contents

1.0 Background

2.0 Objectives

3.0 Requirements

4.0 Deliverables

5.0 Period of Performance

6.0 Travel

7.0 Other Special Requirements and Considerations

RFP #

1.0 Background

NASA is currently conducting research into intra-vehicular wireless avionics. One of the primary challenges in developing wireless avionics systems is designing wireless components that operate at sufficiently low power levels to remain operational during flight activities. Research has shown that wireless devices that utilize backscatter communication can operate at power levels low enough to achieve the operational longevity necessary for mission success. Unfortunately, current backscatter communication research hasn’t provided sufficient insight into whether or not it can be used to meet the demanding requirements required in aerospace applications. The ultimate goal of this acquisition is to conduct research into whether or not backscatter communication can be used in aerospace applications.

2.0 Objectives

The objectives of the intended work is to investigate the feasibility of backscatter communication’s use in aerospace applications. The scope of this investigation will be limited to formal research methods (e.g. trade studies), and experimentation with pre-existing prototype hardware. This scope does not include development of backscatter communication prototype or flight hardware, and any prototype hardware used for experimentation purposes will not be provided. The scope of this work is also limited to backscatter communication methods that utilize protocols that integrate with pre-existing networking infrastructure, specifically IEEE 802.11 protocols (Wi-Fi). The results of this investigation will used to determine whether backscatter communication has a meaningful role in current and future wireless flight sensor system and wireless ground support operation research at NASA. The information delivered at the end of this effort may be disseminated publicly at NASA’s sole discretion.

3.0 Requirements

The scope of the required work consists of investigating the feasibility of backscatter communication’s use in aerospace ground support and flight operations. NASA will provide a set of operational requirements a wireless ground support system and wireless flight system would need to meet in order to be used in used in its current operations and vehicles. The contractor will be responsible delivering an analysis describing to what degree a wireless sensor devices that utilize backscatter communication is able to meet the provided requirements. The contractor is expected support their conclusion with supporting evidence such as: analysis of pre-existing experimentation, formal trade studies, and in lab testing. All analysis, results from referenced experimentation, conducted trade studies, and results from lab testing will be provided along with the final evaluation.

4.0 Deliverables

The contractor will be required to deliver an analysis describing to what degree a wireless sensor devices that utilize backscatter communication is able to meet NASA provided requirements, and all supporting evidence used to verify their conclusion. This deliverable must be provided in an editable digital format (e.g. Microsoft Word document) to a member of the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s sensor and systems development branch (Code RD) before the start of July 2017. The information delivered at the end of this effort may be disseminated publicly at NASA’s sole discretion. The contractor shall provide status updates via NASA scheduled monthly meetings.

5.0 Period of Performance

The contractor shall complete the described work and provide all deliverables prior to July 2017.

6.0 Travel

Travel will not be required or provided in order to complete the described work.

7.0 Other Special Requirements and Considerations

There are no other special requirements or considerations that were not covered in the previous sections.

REVISIONS

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