SBIR-STTR Award

Three years ago when the Rapid Retargeting projects were being formulated, it was not possible to address mixed or analog components with a programmable replacement. This limitation, while not completely solved, is changing. A new generation of devices, known as Field Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAAs) and mixed-signal arrays (FPMAs) have recently been introduced. The overall objective of this effort is to augment the Navy's ongoing Rapid Retargeting effort, which to date has focused on digital function, with a broader program to address all electronic components regardless of technology. The objective of Phase I is to prove feasibility by simulating a series of SEM Format A Key Codes with a single FPAA or FPMA simulation. This effort will have an impact in two areas. First, a solution to the critical obsolescence problem currently facing the Navy will be introduced. Second, the number of spares currently required for operational units could be greatly reduced through execution of an operational PAMs program. The results of the Phase I PAMs program will provide an expansion of the Rapid Retargeting effort already active in the Navy.

This effort will focus on two separate, but related, areas. First, it will focus on the development of a generic analog module, where a single module design can replace the functionality of several modules, across more than one weapon system. Second, it will address a system-level, functional VHDL targeted emulation that has multiple technology attributes. These attributes include digital logic, mixed logic, and radio frequency devices. The target system is small enough to be prototyped under SBIR Phase II funding but will allow the technology approach to be transferred to most any other Navy weapon system.

Benefits:
This phase II will result in providing a Generic Analog SEM format A programmable logic prototype that can be used across multiple systems. More importantly, this effort will provide a new process that can be implemented a the "system level" against a variety of obsolescence problems in a myriad of Navy Weapsons Systems.

Keywords:
VHDL Analog Mixted Logic Programmable SEM Digital Radio Frequency