{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":93735,"title":"RF Crosslink for Relative Navigation and Time/Frequency Distribution","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10976,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10973,"level":3,"code":"TX17.2.3","title":"Navigation Sensors","definition":"This area covers technologies for onboard sensors/sensor systems (sensor hardware and embedded sensor software) for taking measurements required to estimate flight path/orbit/trajectory parameters. This area includes navigation sensors/sensor systems for both absolute navigation function and relative navigation functions.","exampleTechnologies":"Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), precision gyroscopes, accelerometers, GPS/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, LIDARs, laser rangefinders, laser altimeters, radio frequency (RF)-based inter-spacecraft ranging systems, visible wavelength cameras, infrared wavelength cameras, precision frequency and timing devices such as oscillators and clocks, cold atom sensors, navigation transponders, navigation beacons, velocimeters, radars","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":4,"currentTrl":6,"endTrl":6,"benefits":"Improvements in position, navigation and timing (PNT) can benefit both human and robotic spacecraft as they will facilitate higher quality data return from science instruments and enable mission operation concepts such as precise landing and deep-space formation flying. The proposed technology provides multi-platform relative navigation and timing that directly supports cooperative and collaborative space platform operations and will advance autonomous navigation thereby by reducing reliance on Earth-based systems and reducing overall cost. The solution also supports coordinated nanosatellite formation and swarm operations to enable radio frequency (RF) and electro-optical (EO) distributed aperture operations. Two design reference missions were identified during the Phase I effort that represent currently science and exploration needs and potential infusion points into future NASA programs. The multipurpose SDR can also change its function with mission phase and requirements, and will be able to sense and adapt to its RF environment to improve communications all within CubeSat compatible size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints. For example, the SDR-based can also be configured and program to receive and process signals from external sources such as the TDRSS Augmentation System for Satellites (TASS) (also known as Next Generation Broadcast Service or NGBS) which is a global, space-based, communications and navigation service for users in low-Earth orbit.
The proposed solution also has great potential in a variety of military and pure commercial applications and in particular for cluster and fractionated spacecraft. Potential commercial applications may include: 1. multi-static synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system for all-weather Earth observing remote sensing,2. Multi-ball spectrum utilization and geolocation constellations to map out spectrum use and interference sources, 3. Small satellite constellations that provice global communication (voice, data, internet, etc.) that use crosslinks for network connectivity to enable todays advanced modulations such as LTE that require that all network nodes have accurate time and frequency knowledge. 4. Constellations that use MIMO communication and/or distributed RF beamforming to increase range and or communication data throughput.","description":"M42 Technologies is proposing to continue development of a RF based crosslink with relative navigation and time transfer capabilities to enable autonomous precision formation flying (PFF) of spacecraft as small as nanosatellites (1 to 10 kg). The solution consists of a multi-channel software defined radio (SDR), and innovative signaling and processing to enable CubeSat scaled spacecraft to measure positions with centimeter to sub-millimeter-level precision positioning (Technical Area (TA) 5.4.4) thereby providing new capabilities such as autonomous rendezvous and docking (AR&D), and precision formation flying (PFF) both for human and robotic exploration missions. In addition, this proposed solution provides for inter-satellite nanosecond-level time transfer capability (TA 5.4.1) improving absolute navigation. This proposed effort will build on the demonstrated results of the Phase I SBIR, and will focus on improving performance, developing and delivering a prototype CubeSat-scaled radiometric SDR-based navigation solution that with autonomous position, navigation and time (PNT) capabilities.","startYear":2017,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2019,"endMonth":10,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":353706,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Nestor","lastName":"Voronka","fullName":"Nestor Voronka","fullNameInverted":"Voronka, Nestor","primaryEmail":"Nvoronka@M42tech.Com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":3251178,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Cheryl","lastName":"Gramling","fullName":"Cheryl Gramling","fullNameInverted":"Gramling, Cheryl","primaryEmail":"Cheryl.J.Gramling@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":296944,"fileName":"briefchart","fileSize":53970,"objectId":293475,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"52.7 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":296944,"fileName":"briefchart","fileSize":53970,"objectId":293475,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"52.7 KB"}],"id":293475,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"RF Crosslink for Relative Navigation and Time/Frequency Distribution, Phase II Briefing 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Distribution","startTrl":2,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"The proposed system provides improvements in relative PNT with benefits for both human and robotic exploration. It reduces reliance on Earth based systems thereby increasing system autonomy, reducing cost and enabling new capabilities such as deep space formation flying and autonomous rendezvous and docking. The multipurpose SDR can also change its function with mission phase and requirements, and will be able to sense and adapt to its RF environment to improve communications all within CubeSat compatible size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints.
The proposed solution also has great potential in a variety of military and pure commercial applications and in particular for cluster and fractionated spacecraft. As an example, this technology enables sparse aperture arrays by enabling them to operate coherently based on the systems time and frequency distribution capabilities.","description":"M42 Technologies proposes to develop a RF based crosslink with relative navigation and time transfer capabilities to enable autonomous precision formation flying (PFF) of spacecraft as small as nanosatellites (1 to 10 kg). The solution consists of a multi-channel software defined radio (SDR), small aperture antenna and innovative signaling and processing to enable CubeSat scaled spacecraft to measure positions with millimeter-level precision positioning thereby providing new capabilities such as autonomous rendezvous and docking (AR&D), and precision formation flying (PFF) both for human and robotic exploration missions. To improve navigation, the system also distributes time and frequency to enable cooperative and collaborative space science missions.","startYear":2016,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2016,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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