Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contract Management Office (CMO), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSORS SOL 00-24 DUE 091500 POC Dr. Daniel Cress, (703)516-7360 (facsimile) DARPA Request for Information: Electromagnetic Sensors -- DARPA has an interest in technology that supports the use of high-sensitivity, ultra low to low frequency electromagnetic (EM) sensing in the outdoor environment and is requesting brief written submissions detailing innovative ideas and concepts in this area. The Agency is interested in modest-sized deployable devices as well as perhaps less fieldable, but extremely sensitive instruments for outdoor scientific measurement. Desired performance characteristics of interest for fieldable devices are listed below. The Agency recognizes that the desired performance is very aggressive and is therefore also interested in devices that may only meet some of the objectives. The characteristics presented here do not include the power source (e.g. batteries), digitizing electronics, local processing or communications. Characteristics are: a. Modest Size individual receivers have maximum dimension of 10 cm or less b. Low-power: < milliwatts of average power per receiver c. Broad band: 0.1 Hz-30 kHz (higher frequency regions are also of interest) d. Robust outdoor performance: Insensitive to significant changes in ambient temperature (-20 degrees to 50 degrees C) and humidity variations (5 -100% relative)Insensitive to modest shock (<100 g's) Insensitive to likely levels of insitu vibrations (wind noise, seismic) Highly sensitive/High dynamic range. Noise equivalent performance < 1 picoTesla/root Hz in 1Hz to 300 Hz frequency range. Noise equivalent performance < 0.1 picoTesla/root Hz in the 300 Hz to 30 KHz frequency range. Receiver linearity and dynamic range (not digitizer): capable of a linear output consisting of signal and noise for which the in-band signal is 80dB above out-of-band noise Those responding may expand beyond the above listed desired capabilities or justify a limited-performance concept. For example, responders may discuss attributes such as broader band performance (than 0.1Hz to 30 kHz), absolute calibration capabilities, gradiometric capabilities, combined E and H field measurement devices, exceptional performance below 500 Hz, or concepts inherently decoupled from the local environment (e.g. platform vibrations. DARPA Use of Information. DARPA will use the responses to evaluate the technical opportunity for significantly improving the status of existing operationally deployable lower frequency region EM sensors. All information marked proprietary will be protected in accordance with government restrictions and controls. In addition to review by members of DARPA's staff, responses may be reviewed by other government or university experts and/or government support contractors. Support personnel are restricted by their contracts from disclosing proposal information for any purpose. All non-DARPA reviewers will be required to sign the appropriate Organizational Conflict of Interest and Non-Disclosure Agreements. By submission of its response, each responder agrees that the information contained in its response may be disclosed to support contractors and other non-DARPA reviewers for review only. Any information not intended for limited release to these reviewers must be clearly marked and segregated from other submitted proposal material. If DARPA finds the candidate techniques to be an adequate increase in performance over existing capability, DARPA may develop a separate procurement for accepting proposals or it may direct technologists to submit under an existing procurement vehicle. Format of Response. DARPA requests a 3 to 5 page response focused on the following: a. Technical Concept. Describe concept and relate it to the performance goals. b. Comparison with Competing Technologies. Compare the concept and its limiting performance to competing technologies. Justify why the proposed concept offers significant performance opportunities beyond the current state. c. Status of Technology. Present experimental evidence and theoretical extrapolation supporting the premise that an enhanced instrument will meet some or all of the performance goals. Discuss the feasibility of implementing a prototype for outdoor testing within 24 months. d. Critical Questions. Identify the critical technology questions and explain why these questions have not been adequately addressed by the technical community to date. Due Date. Please submit responses by 15 September 2000. Responses should be sent to: DARPA/SPO, Attn: Dr. Daniel Cress, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 Posted 08/07/00 (W-SN483067). (0220)

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