Radio Frequency Microsatellite Risk Reduction Technology

Added: Aug 20, 2015 3:35 pm An additional Q&A is provided below -

Q - We are having trouble accessing the spec documentation of the SATCOM waveforms listed in the BAA. It appears to be unclassified but controlled distribution - it can be obtained online but only to a .mil email address. Would you be able to send these to us directly? The request is for all unclassified sections of MIL-STD-188-181C, 182B, and 183B.

A - One of the goals of TA-2 is to have sufficient flexibility and capability in the design to enable the implementation of a standardized, military specified waveform, such as the listed MIL-STD waveforms. DARPA will deliver these standards as necessary at kick-off to the selected performers. For the purposes of the BAA response, performers should use their best technical judgment and state their assumptions. Detailed compliance with the above standards is not a requirement for the BAA submittal.

Added: Aug 17, 2015 9:59 am At this time DARPA has no plans to extend the BAA proposal due date. In the unlikely event that these plans change, a notification will be posted at fbo.gov.

Added: Aug 11, 2015 2:16 pm The purpose of this amendment is to incorporate Attachment - Q&A Round 1, dated August 11, 2015 to DARPA-BAA-15-49. 

Added: Aug 07, 2015 3:24 pm Due to the large number of questions received, responses are still being finalized and will not be posted today. It is anticipated that responses will be released in several rounds with the first round being posted to fbo.gov on Monday August 10th.

Added: Jul 13, 2015 2:45 pm DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of radio-frequency (RF) communications and sensing technologies for microsatellites. In this solicitation, "microsatellites" will be used to refer to the class of satellites with a mass of 10-100 kg. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in performance for this class of satellite. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.

This BAA seeks technology demonstrations of concepts that enable high-performance RF communications and sensing on microsatellites. DARPA has identified two key technology areas of interest: lightweight deployable antennas and advanced RF processing, to be described in the subsequent sections in detail. DARPA envisions a rapid (21 month) technology demonstration for solutions in these technology areas.

Please see attached DARPA-BAA-15-49 for full details.