SBIR-STTR Award

Direct to Phase II

Cambrian Works (CW) addresses a space defense need identified by the US Space Force (USSF) for agile, resilient communications in the proliferated-Low Earth Orbit (P-LEO) space. CW adapts a commercial, multi-mode, secure, standard-interface small satellite communications subsystem for defense use to enable USSF distributed, difficult-to-defeat, constellation capabilities in mission areas such as Satellite Communications (SatCom), Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, Missile Defense and Tracking, Weather Services, and Strategic Communications. The primary requirement that the proposed Resilient Defense-Adapted Multi-Mode Optical and RF (Multi-MORF) solution addresses is “fighting satcom” – maintaining communications even in the face of adversary action, including mitigating Meaconing, Intrusion, Jamming, and Interference (MIJI). This challenge faces all space communications links, but especially “NewSpace” systems limited in size and power. NewSpace refers to a concept compatible with the new Space Force architecture to use swarms of inexpensive satellites in a disaggregated network to execute class “A” missions. This effort additionally meets DAF needs for the development of the USSF Small Satellite Industrial Base, thus directly advancing innovation in U.S. small business manufacturing. Currently US physical layer terminal (e.g. optical links and software-defined RF radios) providers lack a standardized interface to the networking backbone required for proliferated constellations; efforts to promote interoperability between providers tend to focus on compatibility of the physical links (e.g. frequency, modulation type) as opposed to the often-overlooked networking interface. CW applies its expertise in the needs and requirements of resilient constellation networking to develop an ion Layer Interface that will enable the network forming the constellation backbone to more easily integrate diverse physical link terminals in a “plug and play”-like fashion, greatly enhancing USSF mission architects’ ability to optimize communications links for specific missions. In addition to enabling faster development of DAF missions and advancing innovation in U.S. small business manufacturing, the development of this ion Layer also directly supports the DAF effort to incorporate digital engineering processes to enable more rapid and robust mission implementation. Specific Focus Areas addressed by Multi-MORF are: Network Command, Control and Communications; Cybersecurity; and General Warfighting Requirements based on the Space Platform Technology Area. Specific Strategic Capabilities enabled by this proposal are Global Persistent Awareness and Resilient Information Sharing.