SOW_CPP_PositioningSystem - FINAL.pdf

PR#:53-0001-22 _1300978587 SPECIFICATIONS Page 1 of 10

SPECIFICATIONS FOR COMPACT RANGE POSITIONING SYSTEM

I. INTRODUCTION

The Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL’s) Radar Division maintains and operates an Antenna/Radar Cross Section (RCS) Measurement Facility suitable for:

characterizing radiation and impedance properties of antenna systems, performing radar cross-section (RCS) measurements, measuring the s-parameters of radio frequency (RF)-system components, and determining reflection/transmission properties of radomes and other dielectric materials.

The facility offers compact range (antenna and RCS), near-field (planar and cylindrical), and far-field measurement options. Availability of multiple measurement techniques allows for comprehensive characterization of complex antenna systems including scattering matrix measurements, volumetric pattern analysis, 2D radiation pattern cuts, RCS determination, and isolation measurement. In order to support wide-ranging measurement techniques, a complex multi-axis positioning system is required. The current positioning system is nearing end of life and does not provide the accuracy needed to complete the current mission. Consequently, we are looking to purchase the following:

ITEM SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

Hardware EA NSP NSP 0001 Motorized Floor Slide 1 EA 0002 Azimuth Positioner 1 EA 0003 Offset Slide Axis 1 EA 0004 Model Tower 1 EA 0005 Upper Roll Over Elevation Positioner 1 EA 0006 Upper Azimuth Over Elevation Positioner 1 EA 0007 Feed Positioning System Positioner

1 EA

0008 Positioner Controller for all replacement axis 1 lot 0009 Local Control Unit 1 EA 0010 Cables 1 lot 0011 RF Absorber Treatment LOT

0012 Software 1 LOT 0013 System Engineering and Analysis 1 LOT 0014 Cable Management Plan 1 EA 0015 Removal and Disposal 1 EA $ $ 0016 Installation 1 LOT $ $ 0017 Field Probing 1 LOT

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The Antenna/RCS Facility is not one, but several different measurement systems. One part of the facility is a “large chamber/Room 7A3”, and includes both a Compact Range system and a 17’ x 17’Near Field Scanner capable of both planar and cylindrical measurements. These two precision systems are both located in the same room. Both of these systems use, not only proprietary equipment designed and built by Orbit/FR, but proprietary Orbit/FR 959 Acquisition and Control software, as well. The Compact Range measurement system was originally built by Scientific Atlanta, but was converted over to Orbit/FR, in the 90’s, due to early NRL project requirements. Since that time, it has utilized dedicated Orbit equipment (e.g. AL-4806-3A Position Controller, AL-4164 Position Controller, 8105C 2-18 Pulse Modulator, and 8305C 18- 40 Pulse Modulator). The Near-Field Scanner was purchased a few years ago, from Orbit/FR.

Again, this Orbit scanner was built from the ground up by Orbit and is proprietary.

This “large chamber” is the location of this proposed positioner upgrade/contract.

However, another part of the Antenna/RCS Facility is the “small chamber/ Room 16A2” and is a dedicated anechoic chamber. All the equipment in this location is Orbit/FR, as well, and operated by the same software. The reason this was done was to allow fluid movement between locations. Due to the complexity of our role at NRL, we routinely move RF and associated equipment, utilized in the “large chamber”, into the “small chamber”, and vice versa. It is imperative we maintain this ability.

The last measurement system, of note, is a new 5’x 5’ scanner that was given to us by NRL’s LASR Facility. This scanner is also an Orbit/FR piece of equipment and utilizes the same software. This unit will soon to be located in the small chamber and integrated for use with the existing software/hardware. Again, maintaining software continuity among these varied systems is paramount.

There are several things to note here, as well. If the old positioning equipment is replaced with anything other than Orbit, practical continuity between these facilities will end to the detriment of future Navy requirements. Not being able to move test articles, equipment, and electronics fluidly between systems in a facility that is dedicated to invention and prototyping would be a severe impediment. Proposals need to either incorporate existing proprietary Orbit equipment, or provide replacements that are backward compatible with existing Orbit equipment that is not being replaced. In addition, no potential vendor can physically alter existing systems, that are operational, in order to integrate it into their scheme. It is not in the Navy’s interest that working, expensive, pieces of precision equipment be changed in any way.

The existing measurement hardware includes:

0018 Maintenance and Support 1 LOT

TOTAL PRICE $ $

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1.) Keysight, Model N5225B, Options 020, 217, S93080B, S93080B-R-A5A-001-A, S93080B-R-A6A-001-L, Network Analyzer

2.) Agilent N5224A 10 MHz to 43.5 GHz, network analyzer

3.) Agilent, Model E8364B, Options 010,080,081,014,H11, Network Analyzer

4.) Agilent, MXG LO Source, Model N5183A

5.) Orbit/FR AL-49520-18-17.7-V (17’x17’) Scanning System

6.) Orbit/FR ATR214-2160 AL-49510-5’ x 5’ x 100mm T-Scanner

7.) Orbit F/R, Model AL-48062, Position Controller

8.) Orbit F/R AL-4164-1 Position Controller

9.) Orbit F/R AL-4806-3A Position Controller

Also of note is that all the other similar ranges at NRL (TEW, Space, and Material Sciences) use Orbit 959 software as well. That decision was made some years ago so that similar facilities at NRL can all conveniently exchange data, some equipment, if needs arise, and any new code that is written; all in an effort to push new technologies across NRL Divisions. Having processing platforms that all speak the same language, is critical and required to continue the Radar Division Antenna and RCS Measurement Facility’s critical mission

II. BACKGROUND

The Radar Division Antenna and RCS Measurement Facility supports many programs from within the division, as well as many from other divisions (including Remote Sensing, Optical Sciences, and Tactical Electronic Warfare (TEW)) within NRL and organizations outside of NRL. The measurement facility is intended to provide full characterization of Navy systems by providing antenna pattern measurements and radar cross-section measurements. In recent years, the frequency range of many modern Navy systems is increasing to respond to threats with stressing requirements due to increased frequency range (extending into millimeter wave) and polarization purity.

The Radar Division currently has a position system, which it utilizes to perform its measurement functions. However, the existing positioning system remains from the original chamber installation and is nearing end of life, which means that it has many components that are obsolete, beyond repair, and do not provide sufficient accuracy for evolving system requirements. Previous acquisitions have upgraded the RF equipment, near-field measurement system, and the absorber treatments in the measurement facility to support high frequency measurements. However, some of the upgrades were not accurate enough to handle high frequency systems and the performance of the compact range mechanical positioning system was not upgraded to allow for these aforementioned RF systems enhancements to be fully utilized.

Accurate characterization of the radiation pattern and polarization for these RF systems requires positioning accuracy not achievable with current hardware. The existing positioning system lacks the accuracy on the azimuth, elevation, and roll axes to repeatedly position antennas with narrow beamwidths, and feed axes that control the illumination of the compact range reflector

PR#:53-0001-22 _1300978587 SPECIFICATIONS Page 4 of 10 lacks the accuracy for precise polarization alignment and the z-axis required for optimizing the illumination at high frequencies. This acquisition would replace the existing positioning system with one providing sufficient accuracy and repeatability.

The current positioning system being considered for replacement is utilized for four (4) antenna and RCS measurement systems: compact range antenna measurements, compact range RCS measurements, planar near-field measurements, and cylindrical near-field measurements. The Antenna and RCS Measurement Facility utilizes the Orbit/Flam & Russell, Inc. (FR) 959 Data Acquisition Software by Microwave Vision Group (MVG) to control all four (4) of these modalities, as it contains software drivers to control all existing positioning and measurement hardware. In order to preserve all current capabilities, any upgraded positioning system must function seamlessly with the existing Orbit/FR 959 capabilities and include software that replaces all existing capabilities, as mentioned in Section I.

III. OBJECTIVE

Currently, there are no compact ranges at NRL capable of providing the positioning accuracy and polarization purity required for these kind of measurements. In order to characterize these systems, the measurements currently must be performed at a facility outside of NRL. This acquisition would provide the Radar Division the ability to perform these measurements on-site, and thus be of immediate benefit to users lab-wide. This will result in a more efficient resource saving time and reducing overall associated cost.

IV. SCOPE

The contractor shall deliver a turnkey compact range positioning system that adheres to the hardware and software requirements, outlined under the Specifications, below. Additionally, the contractor shall also remove and dispose of existing equipment to be replaced, install new hardware and software, perform systems engineering, analysis and necessary systems integration, provide and execute cable management plan, perform field probing and provide maintenance and support.

V. SPECIFICATIONS for COMPACT RANGE POSITIONING SYSTEM

The compact range positioning system shall meet all of the following, minimum technical, physical, and performance requirements.

A. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall provide the required hardware components of the Compact Range Positioning System listed below consistent with items (1)-(5) in Table 1. This list includes some additional items including an offset slide axis, model tower, cabling, and RF absorber treatments.

These items are required to place antenna targets over the center of rotation at the center of the quiet zone, control all axes within the chamber, and maintain RF performance within the measurement facility. The tolerances noted in this section reflect either what is currently installed, or what is necessary to upgrade current capability to the new requirements as technologies have evolved.

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1. MOTORIZED FLOOR SLIDE

The contractor shall deliver and install one (1) motorized floor slide. The floor slide shall provide approximately eight (8) feet of travel to allow positioning targets as far forward as the overhead crane and as far backwards as the nearfield scanner. This axis must be software controllable to within +/- 0.1” of position accuracy. The horizontal and vertical plane tilt along the entire 8’ of travel will be less than +/- 0.01”.

2. AZIMUTH POSITIONER

The contractor shall deliver and install one (1) heavy-duty azimuth positioner. The contractor shall install the azimuth positioner directly onto the slide axis. The azimuth positioner shall provide a minimum of 360 degrees of rotational travel ( +/- 180°) and support a vertical load of at least 20,000 pounds. The positioner shall provide an accuracy of ±0.01° or better.

3. OFFSET SLIDE AXIS

The contractor shall deliver and install one (1) offset slide axis that will be mounted in between the azimuth positioner and a model tower. This offset slide axis can be manual, but shall allow for multiple locations to be assigned that keeps the device under test (DUT) directly over the center of rotation of the lower azimuth positioner.

4. MODEL TOWER/MAST

The contractor shall deliver and install one (1) model tower. The model tower must be at a height to hold a target/DUT under test in the vertical center of the quiet zone – nominally, 108 inches off the floor. The model tower will sit in between the offset slide axis and the antenna test positioners. This tower will be sufficient to hold the antenna test positioners and the maximum rated load (AUT) of the positioner itself.

ITEM SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT

Hardware EA 0001 Motorized Floor Slide 1 EA 0002 Azimuth Positioner 1 EA 0003 Offset Slide Axis 1 EA 0004 Model Tower 1 EA 0005 Upper Roll Over Elevation Positioner 1 EA 0006 Upper Azimuth Over Elevation Positioner 1 EA 0007 Feed Positioning System Positioner Controller for all

1 EA

0008 Positioner Controller for all replacement axis 1 lot 0009 Local Control Unit 1 EA 0010 Cables 1 lot 0011 RF Absorber Treatment LOT

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5. UPPER ROLL OVER ELEVATION POSITIONER

The following specs are a guideline to general operating loads, bending moments, and torque requirements expected based on what is currently installed and future expectations.

The contractor shall install and deliver a light duty azimuth/roll over elevation positioner that can be mounted on top of the model tower. The lighter duty positioner shall be removable and interchangeable on the model tower to provide flexibility in test configurations. The smaller “light” duty positioner shall have a vertical load of 50lbs with similar torque characteristics and a minimum position accuracy of +/- 0.05° in both azimuth/roll and elevation axis. It should weigh no more that 50lbs or so for ease of use.

This positioner shall have an azimuth/roll travel of at least +/- 190° and an elevation travel of over +/- 90.

6. UPPER AZIMUTH OVER ELEVATION POSITIONER

The contractor shall install and deliver a larger, more robust azimuth/roll over elevation positioner that can be mounted on top of the model tower. The larger positioner shall be removable and interchangeable on the model tower to provide flexibility in test configurations.

This larger, more robust positioner will have a vertical load of at least 500 lbs with torque characteristics compatible with that weight and an accuracy of +/- 0.03°. This larger positioner must not weigh more that 500lbs, due to the chamber’s crane limit. This positioner shall have an azimuth/roll travel of at least +/- 190° and an elevation travel of over +/- 90°.

7. POSITIONER CONTROLLER

The contractor shall deliver and install positioner controller(s) that enable software controlled motion via Ethernet cable from control/acquisition computer to all new positioner axes (floor slide, azimuth positioner, antenna/test positioners, and feed positioner). This positioner must interface seamlessly with existing Orbit FR AL-4164-1 positioner controller that will remain to operate the 17’ x 17’ near-field scanner (Orbit/FR AL-49520-18-17.7-V) without modification to the scanner hardware. The Antenna and RCS Measurement Facility currently uses 959 data-acquisition software developed by Orbit/FR/MVG. Consequently, software drivers shall exist for all positioner controllers to facilitate seamless integration into the existing system.

8. LOCAL CONTROL UNITS (LCUS)

The contractor shall deliver and install LCU(s) (1 lot) with the positioner controllers for manual control of all axes within chamber. These axis are the Feed Positioning System, PR#:53-0001-22 _1300978587 SPECIFICATIONS Page 7 of 10

Motorized Floor Slide, Azimuth Positioner, Antenna Test Positioners, and 17’ x 17’ near-field scanner (Orbit/FR AL-49520-18-17.7-V) X, Y, and Z axis.

9. FEED POSITIONING SYSTEM

The contractor shall deliver and install one (1) feed positioning system. The feed positioning system shall hold/control feed antennas located at the focal point of the offset-fed corrugated reflector of the compact range measurement system. The positioning system shall allow three-dimensional (3D) movement (x movement to adjust horizontal position, y movement to adjust vertical position, and z movement to offset distance) of the feed antenna as well as rotation about the polarization axis of the system (+/- 190°). There shall also be an interface included that adapts from new positioner to existing compact range feeds if necessary (8 ¼-20 UNC-2B thru holes equally spaced on 7.0625” bolt circle).

10. CABLING

The contractor shall provide cables (1 lot) to allow proper control of all new equipment.

11. RF ABSORBER TREATMENTS

The contractor shall deliver and install RF absorber treatments on all positioning equipment installed in the compact range to help minimize reflections. Designs must be coordinated with the Radar Division Installation Representative and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) assigned to the project before install to ensure proper usability in a multi-use prototyping facility.

B. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

The Compact Range Positioning System Components shall be compatible with existing compact range data acquisition/control software (Orbit/FR 959 Spectrum Data Acquisition and Control Software 7.2 (Release 9615) [Antenna/RCS] 32-bit (win64)) and existing near-field measurement hardware. The existing measurement hardware includes:

1. Keysight, Model N5225B, Options 020, 217, S93080B, S93080B-R-A5A-001-A, S93080B-R-A6A-001-L, Network Analyzer

2. Agilent N5224A 10 MHz to 43.5 GHz, network analyzer

3. Agilent, Model E8364B, Options 010,080,081,014,H11, Network Analyzer

4. Agilent, MXG LO Source, Model N5183A

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5. Orbit/FR AL-49520-18-17.7-V (17’x17’) Scanning System

6. Orbit/FR ATR214-2160 AL-49510-5’ x 5’ x 100mm T-Scanner

7. Orbit F/R, Model AL-48062, Position Controller

8. Orbit F/R AL-4164-1 Position Controller

9. Orbit F/R AL-4806-3A Position Controller

As a result, all axes shall be controllable by the Orbit/FR 959 data acquisition software as well as by a LCU. The contractor shall deliver all drivers required for accurate automated motion control from within the Orbit/FR 959 Data Acquisition Software suite.

All software provided shall preserve current measurement modalities including

1.) Compact range antenna pattern measurements, 2.) Gated CW compact range RCS measurements, 3.) Cylindrical near-field measurements, 4.) Planar near-field measurements, 5.) Cylindrical near-field transform, 6.) Planar near-field transform, and 7.) Synchronized control of all positioning equipment.

Any proposed software shall also be completely compatible with the entirety of the Antenna/RCS Measurement Facility, as mentioned in the introduction, to ensure the same level of compatibility and flexibility that currently exists.

If new software is proposed, it shall either interface with existing range equipment or all applicable equipment must/shall be replaced with new systems that have the same characteristics and performance as the existing equipment. This is to ensure successful software integration and to preserve all existing measurement capabilities as outlined in this statement of work.

C. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to providing hardware and software, the below items must also be included.

1. SYSTEM ENGINEERING AND ANALYSIS: The contractor shall perform a systems integration and analysis to confirm that the operation of all positioning equipment replaced/installed maintains current capability and operation of all existing measurement modes. This will include a site visit to:

a. determine equipment placement accurately, verify clearances to allow full range of motion, and confirm power access and prerequisites are met.

b. locate feed placement and pointing angle with respect to focal point of compact range reflector

c. determine cable lengths accurately

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2. CABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PLAN: The contractor shall provide a preliminary cable management plan that provides cable carriers, rotary joints, and any additional hardware required to protect all positioner control cables and existing RF cables from damage under movement and submit a final version prior to install..

3. REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL: The contractor is responsible for and shall provide a plan to remove and dispose of existing hardware being replaced.

4. INSTALLATION: The contractor shall provide a plan to install new equipment and a time frame for completion. This time to completion plan is essential so that efforts can be made to reschedule critical testing and limit down time that impairs facility income stream.

5. FIELD PROBING: The contractor shall perform a detailed field probing, at the conclusion of the installation, to ensure measurement capabilities have not been degraded and to prove that the feed positioning system has positioned all feeding antennas at the focal point of the existing compact range reflector. Field probing will characterize amplitude and phase performance of the compact range quiet zone to ensure that existing specifications are maintained or improved. Current system parameters are:

a. Amplitude taper of less than 1 dB. At chamber install, the horizontal amplitude cuts were symmetrical to within 0.3dB and the vertical amplitude cuts were symmetrical to within 0.5Db

b. Phase Variation of <10° from 2 - 18GHz, and <20° from 18 - 100GHz.

These parameters will be verified by field probing at the top, middle, and bottom of each frequency band (standard waveguide octaves) from 2-100 GHz. This series shall be performed at the forward, middle, and rear positions of the floor slide axis.

Upon complete of field probing, a formal report shall be required, verifying that current capabilities are either maintained or improved upon.

VI. MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT: The Offeror shall propose a maintenance and support plan for facility hardware and software, which demonstrates the availability of necessary expertise to troubleshoot, upgrade, and maintain all provided hardware and software, after the warranty period expires.

VII. WARRANTY: A warranty, of at least one (1) year from the time of complete installation, shall be provided on all hardware, software, and necessary changes to existing structures to protect against product malfunctions and defects.

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VIII. ON-SITE REQUIREMENTS: The contractor shall comply with the requirements for on-site contractors as outlined in Attachment 2 – Requirements for On-Site Contractors.