Remoted Analog to Digital Converter with De serialization and Reconstruction (RADER) | Apply Online

FAQs: DARPA BAA 09-51 (RADER) Grant Opportunity

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) DARPA BAA 09-51 for a research program titled Remoted Analog to Digital Converter with De-serialization and Reconstruction (RADER).

2) What is the main goal of the RADER program?

The core goal is to fund genuinely new, non-incremental approaches to analog-to-digital conversion that push well beyond the capabilities of existing high-speed ADCs. DARPA is explicitly looking for revolutionary concepts, not evolutionary improvements to conventional ADC architectures.

3) What types of technical approaches is DARPA looking for?

DARPA is seeking novel analog-to-digital conversion concepts and architectures that are fundamentally different from standard approaches. Proposals that mainly tweak or incrementally improve conventional ADC architectures are described as not being a fit for this solicitation.

4) What is the headline performance target for digitization?

The headline target is continuous-time operation over a 10 GHz input instantaneous bandwidth (IBW) with 10 effective number of bits (ENOB).

5) What does “continuous-time” mean in the context of this program?

Based on the solicitation summary, DARPA is targeting a continuous-time analog-to-digital system intended to digitize extremely wideband signals. The program emphasizes continuous-time operation as part of the performance objective (10 GHz IBW with 10 ENOB).

6) Why is the combination of 10 GHz IBW and 10 ENOB important?

In practical terms, DARPA indicates this combination is intended to enable direct capture of very wide slices of spectrum with meaningful dynamic range, including in “dense” input environments where many signals may be present and where large blockers or interferers may exist.

7) What is the program’s interest in signals up to 18 GHz?

DARPA states an ultimate desire to position the 10 GHz slice so that signals with frequency content up to 18 GHz can be captured. However, the near-term demonstrations emphasized in the program focus on achieving 10 GHz IBW at baseband across all phases.

8) Are there any specific demonstration goals beyond baseband operation?

Yes. In Phase III, the program adds a specific additional demonstration objective of 6 GHz IBW centered at 15 GHz.

9) What power constraints does DARPA mention?

DARPA is interested in achieving the wideband, high-resolution digitization performance while keeping DC power below 50 watts.

10) What does “remoted” mean in RADER?

A distinguishing feature of RADER is the “remoted” concept: the program emphasizes architectures where the front-end sensing/conversion function can be placed at a location physically separated from the subsystems that consume significant power.

11) Why does the program emphasize remote placement of the sensing/conversion front end?

The solicitation summary notes that many systems benefit when the analog waveform can be sensed or sampled away from power-hungry processing hardware. The goal is wideband, high-fidelity capture without forcing all power consumption and heat generation to be located at the sensing point.

12) What role do “de-serialization” and “reconstruction” play in the program?

The program description indicates that after remote sensing/conversion, de-serialization and reconstruction are intended to enable usable digital data streams back at the processing node.

13) Which DARPA office issued the announcement?

The Broad Agency Announcement was issued by DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office (MTO).

14) What is the CFDA number and program area listed?

The opportunity was posted under CFDA 12.910, listed as Research and Technology Development.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

The notice states the opportunity is open to unrestricted applicants, subject to any clarifications in the full BAA.

16) What award mechanisms are listed for this opportunity?

Award mechanisms listed include cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions, and procurement contracts.

17) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice indicates that no cost sharing or matching is required.

18) When was the opportunity posted?

The synopsis indicates the opportunity was posted on May 28, 2009.

19) What proposal due dates are mentioned?

The synopsis references first-round proposal due dates noted as July 28, 2009 and also August 11, 2009. It also notes Amendment 04, which revised the close date for purposes of second-round submissions to January 11, 2010.

20) What did Amendment 04 change?

Amendment 04 revised the close date for second-round submissions to January 11, 2010. The amended second-round closing date is highlighted as the key change.

21) Where should applicants send questions about the solicitation?

DARPA directed inquiries to: DARPA_BAA_09-51@darpa.mil.

22) Where can applicants find additional solicitation information?

The synopsis references additional solicitation information being available through the MTO solicitations page, and it also notes a physical contact address at DARPA in Arlington, Virginia.

23) What kind of outcomes is DARPA trying to enable with RADER?

Based on the description, DARPA is aiming to create a unique new A/D capability supporting wideband, high-fidelity capture, including in dense spectral environments, while enabling remote front-end placement so that power and heat are not concentrated at the sensing location.