DON27BZ02-DV027 — DIRECT TO PHASE II: Ultra-Low Latency Technology for Radio Applications 5G

Develop ultra-low latency audio data obscuration techniques optimized for Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications over Fifth Generation (5G) frequency bands to enhance the resilience and operational effectiveness of Command and Control, Communications (C3).

Modern C3 operations increasingly depend on commercial 5G and IP-based network infrastructures, which are vulnerable to latency, jitter, packet loss, and adversarial interference. As highlighted in recent industry consensus on how 5G technology is going to transform the Department of War (DoW) [Ref 2], in contested and congested environments, these challenges jeopardize mission-critical data flows, particularly time-sensitive audio communications essential for tactical decision-making. While the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) is the current standard for secure, jam-resistant tactical data links, it must be modernized to interoperate with these evolving network environments.   To maintain a strategic advantage in alignment with the National Defense Strategy (NDS), the Department of Defense Private 5G Deployment Strategy [Ref 1], and Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiatives, the Navy seeks to design, develop, and prototype a software-only solution for ultra-low latency audio data obscuration. This technology must be tailored for IP-based communications operating across 5G and Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) environments and be seamlessly integrable into existing MIDS JTRS platforms.   These software-only innovations will strengthen C3 links in real-time operational scenarios, drawing technical parallels from critical commercial capabilities such as ultra-reliable low-latency 5G for industrial automation [Ref 3] to support high-precision activities including cooperative motion control, video-guided remote operations, and node-to-node tactical communications. By integrating these technologies into existing communication infrastructures, the DoW aims to ensure robust, secure, and resilient communication channels, even in congested spectrum environments or under adversarial jamming and electronic interference.   The proposed solution should:   Achieve Ultra-Low Latency Audio Transmission: Develop software-based obscuration methods capable of delivering secure, intelligible audio over IP-based 5G networks. The threshold goal is an end-to-end latency of under 20 milliseconds, with an objective goal of 1 millisecond to meet JADC2 and NDS real-time operational requirements.   Enhance Resilience in Contested Environments: Ensure audio data integrity and communication continuity in environments affected by spectrum congestion, electromagnetic interference, or intentional jamming, using robust data hiding and spread-spectrum techniques. To satisfy PMO requirements, system resilience and audio intelligibility must be demonstrated and verified against the following representative operational profiles: 1. Network Packet Loss Resilience: The software-based recovery and reconstruction algorithms must maintain communication continuity under severe channel degradation: Threshold Target: Maintain continuous link and zero audio stream dropouts under a continuous random packet loss profile of up to 10%. Objective Target: Maintain link alignment and intelligibility under burst/consecutive packet loss profiles of up to 30%. 2. Spectrum Congestion Performance: Under simulated high-traffic 5G slice congestion (congested multi-user IP environments): Threshold Target: End-to-end processing and transmission latency must remain under 20 milliseconds. Objective Target: End-to-end processing and transmission latency must remain under 1 millisecond. 3. Jamming and Interference Immunity: The spread-spectrum and data-hiding layers must resist intentional electromagnetic interference: Threshold Target: Maintain link stability and synchronization under narrow-band and barrage jamming up to a Jamming-to-Signal (J/S) ratio of 15 dB. Objective Target: Maintain link stability under dynamic tracking jamming up to a J/S ratio of 30 dB. 4. Audio Intelligibility Standards: Restored and unobscured audio streams must meet standard military voice intelligibility baselines: Threshold Target: Achieve a Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) score of 3.0 or higher (providing fully intelligible, clear voice communication). Objective Target: Achieve a PESQ score of 4.0 or higher (delivering excellent, high-fidelity voice reproduction).   Enable Scalable Integration with Existing DoW Systems: Design modular, software-defined solutions for seamless integration into platforms such as the MIDS JTRS SDR, supporting the modernization of tactical communication networks under the MIDS Program Office.   Support Seamless Transition to Operational Systems: Ensure the final solution supports a seamless transition to operational systems, including full integration into the MIDS JTRS platform.   Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVWAR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

For a Direct to Phase II topic, the Government expects that the small business will have accomplished the following in a Phase I-type effort and developed a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic requirements of the stated objective above. The following actions would be required to satisfy the requirements of Phase I: Crucially, the evidence of this foundational research MUST NOT rely exclusively on previous or active federally funded SBIR/STTR contracts. Tangible proof of feasibility is an absolute prerequisite for award consideration. To satisfy these Phase I prerequisites, the submitted documentation must substantiate that the offeror has successfully executed the following: Audio Obscuration & Data-Hiding Feasibility: Developed and simulated at least two software-based audio obscuration or data-hiding techniques (such as Echo Hiding or Spread Spectrum). The proposal must provide empirical modeling and simulation results showing these techniques can secure IP-based audio communications over simulated 5G and O-RAN networks. Real-Time Signal Processing (DSP) Implementation: Demonstrated the capability to execute real-time digital signal processing algorithms on general-purpose processors (GPPs) or heterogeneous compute environments (such as multi-core CPUs). The offeror must show that these software-only methods do not require custom FPGA or dedicated hardware acceleration to run. Performance Baseline Modeling: Documented via simulation that the conceptual software architecture can meet the threshold latency of under 20 milliseconds, with jitter constrained to less than 2 milliseconds and resilience to packet-loss rates of up to 0.03%, while preserving voice intelligibility. Modular Platform Integration Design: Completed a high-level software architecture design and a preliminary Interface Control Document (ICD). This documentation must detail how the software-only obscuration layer will interface with standard IP-based network stacks and integrate modularly into tactical SDR systems like the MIDS JTRS.

Design, develop, and integrate a real-time, software-only implementation of the specified audio data obscuration and recovery algorithms utilizing a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) and network Software Development Kit (SDK). Validate that the target general-purpose processor (GPP) processing core on the SDR host platform can natively execute the obscuration software, verifying the latency, throughput, and modularity advantages of a software-defined security layer. Architectural Integration: Port and optimize the modular audio obscuration software to run directly on standard GPP and SDR processing cores, maximizing instruction-set efficiency, minimizing processing overhead, and achieving parallel thread execution. Network and Functional Verification: Conduct over-the-air or over-the-wire IP-based voice transmission testing of the obscured audio data over 5G and O-RAN emulated network environments using representative SDR hardware and network testbeds. Performance Acceptance: Execute a comprehensive, multi-point validation campaign in accordance with a government-approved acceptance test plan to confirm functional latency boundaries, packet-loss recovery resilience, and restored voice intelligibility (PESQ) compliance in congested and contested network environments.

Transition the mature, software-only audio obscuration solution into a commercially viable product for widespread use.   Dual-Use Commercialization Strategy:   The technology developed has significant applications in both military and commercial sectors.   Military and Government Transition: Integration with Program of Record: Transition the software to the MIDS Program Office for integration into the MIDS JTRS platform and successor systems. Work with prime contractors to integrate the software into the official SDR software baseline.   JADC2 and Joint Force Application: Market the software to other DoW branches (Army, Air Force, Marines) and federal agencies for integration into their respective C3 and tactical communication systems, supporting the broader Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) framework.   Operational Fielding and Support: Provide the necessary support for operational testing, certification, and accreditation (C&A) to achieve an Authority to Operate (ATO) on DoW networks, to include providing software updates, patches, and long-term technical support.   Commercial Market Applications: 5G and Telecommunications: Licensed to telecommunications providers as a value-added service for enterprise customers requiring end-to-end secure, low-latency communications for applications like financial trading or executive communications.   Industrial IoT and Remote Operations: Industries such as manufacturing, mining, and energy for the real-time, secure remote control of autonomous vehicles, drones, and heavy machinery, where low latency is critical for safety and precision.   Telemedicine: A secure and reliable channel for mission-critical medical applications, such as remote surgery and real-time diagnostics, where audio and data integrity are paramount.   First Responders and Public Safety: Adapted for public safety networks (e.g., FirstNet), providing secure and resilient voice communications for first responders during emergencies when commercial networks may be congested or compromised.   Successful completion of Phase III would see this software becoming a standard component in next-generation tactical radios and a trusted solution for secure communications in various commercial industries.