Helios Remote Sensing Systems, Inc. is developing passive surveillance techniques that utilize the wideband signal processing and direction of arrival measurement capabilities of modern signals intelligence/electronic intelligence (SIGINT/ELINT) systems to act as a passive radar system leveraging opportunistic emitters in the operational area to develop and maintain the tactical surface picture in Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) environments. During Phase I, the Helios team is developing passive radar concepts suitable for opportunistic emission exploitation by conceptual modern airborne SIGINT/ELINT systems. Supporting analyses includes the presence of potential opportunistic emissions in littoral and blue water oceanic regions. Hypothetical coverage maps are developed for operations in peace time, heightened tensions, and during conflicts. The concepts consider the relatively modest antenna gain (0-3 dBi) of typical SIGINT/ELINT systems. The feasibility of coherent signal processing approaches of these opportunistic emissions are considered. The Phase I effort includes prototype plans to be developed under Phase II. Based on Phase I results, candidate concept(s) will be matured through more detailed high-fidelity analyses with a focus on a particular SIGINT/ELINT system identified by the Navy sponsor in Phase II.
Benefit: The technology from this SBIR effort will become instrumental in the development of a variety of Department of Defense applications. Working with the Navy sponsor, the opportunity to assess software and firmware impacts to accommodate the candidate techniques will be addressed. Critical technical challenges will be identified and necessary analysis will be performed and, as required, experimentation will be undertaken to understand the associated risks. Prototype systems will be developed and demonstrated to assess feasibility of the proposed approach. After this, development will be completed, testing finalized, integrated, and transitioned to naval airborne SIGINT/ELINT systems. In addition, the technology can support a variety of passive RF surveillance system for air surveillance, facility monitoring, or coastal navigation.
Keywords: A2/AD, A2/AD, wideband, Signal processing, SBIR topic, Passive Radar, anti access/area denial, parasitic radar, Signals intelligence/electronic intelligence (SIGINT/ELINT)
