SPARK
SPARK, our PayLoad SWaP solution was borne from the US military’s Stimulating Transition for Advanced Microelectronics Packaging (STAMP) program. It utilizes Locus’s software defined receiver (SDRX) to run on Intel’s Direct RF Multi-Chip Package (MCP1), including its Stratix 10 chip, and integrates onto a single board. This solution significantly reduces size, weight, and power (SWaP) of the existing system by up to 92% in size, 73% in weight, and 85% in power. In addition, SPARK doubles the multi-band coverage to 1-36 GHz, all while utilizing fewer components. Intel is working collaboratively with us on this effort.
SPARK Product Benefits
| Feature | Limitations Addressed/Benefits |
|---|---|
| Software Defined Receiver (SDRX) architecture | Allows receiver functionality to be upgraded in the field without changing the hardware platform … extending the life of the product and helping to meet evolving mission requirements |
| Multi-band covering 1-36 GHz | Current product works to 18 GHz … new product doubles that coverage and uses fewer components |
| Simplified Architecture leveraging wider bandwidth | The bandwidth per channel is greatly increased leading to a simplified system architecture that reduces size, weight, and power without sacrificing performance |
| Processing at the edge | The embedded processor allows us to push our software application to the edge removing the need for transporting large volumes of high-speed digital data over dedicated fiber optics |
| Small SWaP | Reduced size, weight, and power adds flexibility for installation and integration on host platforms … reduces logistics and maintenance costs over the product life cycle |
Our systems using Intel’s direct RF multi-chip package offers low SWaP and simplified RF architectures for the following applications:
- Spectrum Monitoring: persistent surveillance of the RF spectrum with timely and accurate measurements of communications, radars, beacons, transponders, and other signal types.
- Range Monitoring: verify and monitor critical frequency bands for availability and potential interference during exercises.
- Training: support electronic warfare training by independently monitoring simulated threat emissions, as well as blue force transmissions and responses.
- Test & Evaluation: support laboratory tests with detection capability exceeding commercially available RF test equipment.
- Tactical: perform SIGINT missions to develop electronic order of battle including emitter tracking and threat alarms.