Mobile Networked Multiple Input - Multiple Output (MNM) Technology. This is a Request for Information (RFI) from interested sources by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Advanced Technology Office (ATO), regarding Mobile Networked Multiple Input - Multiple Output (MNM) technology development. In addition to the RFI, this is also the announcement for a Workshop being sponsored by DARPA/ATO to identify new opportunities to exploit Mobile Networked Multiple Input - Multiple Output (MNM) for tactical military communications systems. The MNM Workshop will be held at George Mason University, Arlington Campus Professional Center, on September 14, 2005 at 3401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 329, Arlington, VA 22201 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the MNM Workshop will commence at 9:00 a.m. This RFI and Workshop are open to any capable and qualified sources, including but not limited to universities, private or public companies, Government Laboratories, and Government research establishments. Respondents are advised that DARPA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this Request for Information (RFI) or the Workshop. NOTE: Responding to this RFI does not require participation in the Workshop. Objectives and Description of Mobile Networked Multiple Input - Multiple Output (MNM) Technology. Recent developments show Multiple Input - Multiple Output (MIMO) technology to be immensely promising in a wide range of military applications. DARPA seeks to convert the potential demonstrated in the first phase of the current DARPA MNM program into practical military systems that exploit the adaptability of MIMO capable systems for both vehicular and handheld applications. Toward that end, DARPA seeks to identify technologies that will result in a system of communications devices and software that are built from the ground-up to support the requirements and potential flexibility of a MNM enabled network. The system should be able to intelligently adapt all of its radio and processing resources to support the user’s communications needs. These adaptations should include, but are not limited to: spatial diversity for higher data rates, spatial diversity for low power spectral density, spatial diversity to increase range, frequency agility, bandwidth agility, interference suppression, beam forming, and multiple simultaneous beams. Additionally, the system must support a tactically relevant network implementation that can also adapt as the environment and mission change. DARPA also seeks to explore the synergy of MNM technologies with advanced spectrum access and management approaches such as those being researched in the DARPA Next Generation (XG) Communications Program. The DARPA vision is that MNM technologies will become the foundation of the physical layer for a new generation of communications devices, purpose-built for a dynamic networked system. The objective is to explore and develop MNM technologies that enhance the war fighter’s capability. This workshop seeks to foster the exchange of information and encourage thought about the potential of MNM enabled systems. We also hope to develop a set of metrics through which we can understand the impact of MNM development and measure our progress towards our objective. Information sought: System concepts and ideas for innovative technology development being sought include, but are not limited to, areas such as: • Concepts and technology to reduce the size/weight and prime power requirements for MNM device implementations • Concepts and technology to significantly improve spectral efficiency (bits/sec/Hz) • Concepts and technology that explore the flexibility of a MNM system to adapt to mission requirements • Concepts and technology that explore the possibilities of scalability of MNM technology • Concepts and technology that explore the network and how it could be designed and react when using MNM RFI Instructions to Responders: This announcement is a request for white papers and input to the workshop in support of developing innovative and creative approaches to pursue the goals of the development of MNM technologies. The white paper responses are encouraged to include, but are not limited to, as many as possible of the above identified attributes of MNM technology, the technical approach, system integration techniques, hardware implementation details (size/weight/power), and metrics that can be expected to be achieved and demonstrated. You are encouraged to submit white papers that discuss your solution or technology that will fulfill the objectives for this program. White papers should consist of: a) one page cover that identifies the title, organization, responder’s technical and administrative points of contact - include name(s), address(es), phone(s) and fax numbers, and email addresses, b) a two page executive summary, and c) eight pages of technical and programmatic information. The total page count should be no longer than 10 pages (excluding the cover page). There is no need for a budget estimate for this white paper. White papers should be marked with appropriate proprietary markings, such as "Company Proprietary.” Markings such as "Company Confidential" or other phrases that could be confused with national security classifications shall be avoided. The Government anticipates that responses to this RFI will be unclassified. Responses should be submitted in a commonly used electronic format i.e., PDF or Word document via email to
[email protected] or DARPA/ATO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington VA 22203-1714, Attn: Mobile Network MIMO RFI Manager. Workshop Registration Instructions: Workshop Participants are requested to register NLT 7 Sep 05, at the following website: https://enstg.com/signup/passthru.cfm?ConferenceCode=MNM32913. Directions to the facility, local hotel and transportation information, and other materials are also available on the website. The workshop registration fee of $25 and is payable by cash or check at the workshop. The attendee list will be available at the MNM Workshop. If you do not wish to be included on the attendee list you must send email notification to
[email protected] or call Karen Martin at 703-522-5123 before 7 Sep 05. Presentation Instructions to Workshop Participants: Additionally, attendees who would like to present company overviews during the conference, discuss their technology expertise, and/or discuss teaming opportunities in scheduled presentations at the conference may request to do so. Presentations may contain up to 10 slides and are limited to ten (10) minutes each (including logistical issues). Attendees desiring to reserve a time to present at the Workshop should send the presentation in a PowerPoint or PDF electronic format NLT 7 Sep 05 to
[email protected]. The electronic copy of all material to be presented must be provided to the DARPA Program Manager for review by 7 Sep 05. All material to be displayed at the conference must be must be approved in advance by both the organization that funded the research and the DARPA program manager. The DARPA Program Manager will screen the proposed material for sensitive, but unclassified material and approve in advance. The Workshop will be open to the public. Poster Instructions for Workshop Participants: Attendees who would like to share information at the conference may bring posters to display outside of the conference room. These posters will facilitate “poster sessions,” during which interested parties may meet with you to discuss your capabilities and innovations related to this topic. If you plan to bring a poster, please email
[email protected] or notify Karen Martin at 703-522-5123 when you register for the MNM Workshop. Citizenship and non-Permanent Resident Instructions for Workshop participants: All US Citizens are required to fill out a US Citizenship Verification form in order to attend this conference. Non-permanent residents will be required to complete and submit DARPA Form 60 “Foreign National Visit Request”. These documents can be found on the registration website and should be faxed (Attention: Pamela Jackson) to 703-696-9781 prior to the meeting. NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE CONTRACTING OFFICER IDENTIFIED BELOW WITH RESPECT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, BUT INSTEAD ADDRESS ALL INQUIRIES AS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED HEREIN.