Air Force to brief industry in October on project to develop secure ultra-broadband radio communications

ROME, N.Y. – U.S. Air Force communications experts will brief industry next month on an upcoming project to develop an ultra-broadband radio that not only operates at frequencies higher than 100 GHz, but also that dynamically adjusts carrier frequency, output power, and data rate.

Officials of the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in Rome, N.Y., will brief industry from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday 17 Oct., at the Innovare Advancement Center, 592 Hangar Road, in Rome, N.Y., on the upcoming Ultra-broadband Terahertz Radio Development (FA8750-23-S-7009) broad-agency announcement.

Radio frequencies above 100 GHz, commonly known as terahertz or sub-terahertz band, remain underused for communications, despite their potential to enable secure wideband applications for communications systems, Air Force researchers say.

The high atmospheric absorption at these frequencies can limit the effective transmission range but also can be used for secure channelization in contested spectrum environments.

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Air Force researchers want to design, develop, and demonstrate an ultra-broadband radio that dynamically adjusts carrier frequency, output power and data rate within the frequency range of interest—above 100 GHz.

Briefings will provide an overview of the problem, promote areas of interest, promote an early exchange of information, and provide an opportunity for the Air Force and industry to gather more information prior to the submission of white papers.

A general session will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a lunch break. Written questions will be answered after a recess for lunch, which will not be provided. Private will be scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m.

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Those who are not able to attend the industry day may request a copy of questions and answers after the event by emailing [email protected] and being properly vetted. The Industry Day will be held at unclassified level, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and open to defense contractors who are US Citizens.

Those interested in attending the industry briefings should register no later than 2 Oct. 2023. Email [email protected] for a registration form and more information for this event.

Email questions or concerns to the Air Force's Ngwe Thawdar at [email protected], or Peter Ricci at [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/503e516307164fd192d6dda9ec1996ae/view.