Microscale Power Conversion (MPC) | Apply Online

What is the Microscale Power Conversion (MPC) opportunity (DARPA BAA 11-33)?

MPC is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA 11-33) run by the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). It focuses on research and development aimed at enabling fundamentally new approaches to highly integrated RF transmitters, rather than incremental improvements to existing power electronics and RF transmitter designs.

What is the main technical goal of MPC?

The central goal is to enable an RF transmitter that is implemented as either (1) a monolithic integrated circuit or (2) a tightly integrated system-in-package module, where a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) power amplifier is co-integrated with a dynamic (rapidly adjustable) voltage power supply and the associated controller circuitry.

In plain terms, what kind of integration is DARPA looking for?

DARPA is looking for research that collapses subsystems that are often separate (power amplifier, power management, and control) into a deeply integrated solution. A key feature is that the supply voltage is actively modulated during operation to support efficient, high-performance RF transmission, instead of being a static fixed power rail.

What does "dynamic voltage power supply" mean in this context?

It means the transmitter includes a power supply that can adjust its output voltage rapidly during operation, along with control circuitry that manages those adjustments. The power supply is intended to act as an active part of the RF transmitter system, not just a background utility.

Is the program focused on incremental improvements to existing RF transmitters?

No. The announcement explicitly excludes proposed work that primarily delivers evolutionary improvements to the current state of practice. In other words, minor optimization, straightforward packaging tweaks, incremental component upgrades, or small efficiency gains are not the focus.

What type of work is explicitly not of interest?

Work that is mainly evolutionary or incremental relative to the current state of practice is explicitly excluded. The opportunity is oriented toward fundamentally new architectures, device concepts, integration strategies, or control approaches.

What types of innovations does MPC emphasize?

The opportunity emphasizes high-impact, innovative R&D that could change what is practical for size, weight, power, efficiency, and performance in RF transmitters. The emphasis is on new architectures and deep co-design/co-integration of RF power amplification with power conversion and control.

Does the synopsis suggest any example technical approaches?

Yes, it suggests interest in techniques such as envelope tracking or other forms of supply modulation, where the power supply is actively adjusted in support of RF efficiency and linearity, implemented in an extremely compact and integrated form.

What are the allowed implementation forms for the integrated transmitter?

The target implementation is either a monolithic integrated circuit or a tightly integrated system-in-package module. In both cases, the MMIC power amplifier is co-integrated with a dynamic voltage power supply and controller circuitry.

Which DARPA office is responsible for this opportunity?

The effort is within DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO).

What funding/assistance category is this opportunity associated with?

The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).

What kind of award instruments might DARPA use for this BAA?

The synopsis indicates multiple possible award instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, other procurement contracts, and potentially other mechanisms. This gives DARPA flexibility in structuring awards depending on the proposer, technical risk, and program needs.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the information provided.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, which generally means proposals may be submitted by any type of entity (for example, companies, universities, nonprofits, or other organizations), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full BAA text.

What are the key dates listed for this solicitation?

• Posting date: March 10, 2011
• Proposal abstract due date: April 11, 2011
• Full proposal due date: June 10, 2011
• Archive date: December 12, 2011

What does the archive date mean here?

The archive date (December 12, 2011) is consistent with the closeout of the solicitation on Grants.gov, indicating the opportunity has been archived in that system.

Are minimum and maximum award amounts specified?

No. The award floor and ceiling are both listed as 0 in the summary record, which typically indicates DARPA did not specify fixed minimum or maximum award amounts in the public synopsis. Funding levels would instead be determined based on proposal quality, scope, negotiations, and available funds.

What is the practical takeaway for applicants based on the synopsis?

DARPA was seeking ambitious, high-impact R&D concepts with a credible path toward an integrated RF transmitter solution where power conversion and RF power amplification are co-designed and co-integrated, rather than treated as separate subsystems.

Who is the point of contact listed for access issues?

The synopsis lists John Albrecht as the DARPA/MTO Program Manager and BAA Coordinator for access issues.

Where would an applicant find the full BAA document and detailed instructions?

The additional information link points to the DARPA/MTO solicitations page, where the full BAA 11-33 document and detailed instructions (including technical areas and submission requirements) would be provided.