REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - SN07-54, Active Infrared Imaging through Clouds and Fog #2 DESCRIPTION Obstruction by clouds and fog is, and will continue to be, a major limitation to electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems. Yet EO/IR technology is evolving rapidly and EO/IR systems will continue to find ever-increasing use in military applications. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office (STO) has current and future interest in advancing EO/IR capabilities through the use of active imaging and coherent techniques. The Synthetic Aperture Ladar for Tactical Imaging (SALTI) program, for example, has demonstrated a break-through to achieve the first-ever synthetic aperture ladar imaging from aircraft. DARPA released a Request for Information (RFI SN07-29) on 27 April 2007 with a similar, but broader scope. Currently we are interested only on loss-mitigation approaches applicable to coherent LADAR that would preserve the bandwidth and phase of signals propagating through clouds, fog, and haze. DARPA/STO is requesting information on novel research ideas and approaches for improving the performance of EO/IR active coherent imaging systems in environments degraded by cloud cover, haze and fog. No funding has currently been allocated to this effort, A Broad Agency Announcement and/or other solicitation may or may not result from the findings of this RFI. Responses should be limited to mitigation approaches that would enable or significantly improve the performance of EO/IR active coherent imaging systems such as LADAR in clouds, fog and haze conditions. Responses should identify whether they would (a) accept exponential attenuation (Beer's law), or (b) avoid Beer's law. In active imaging, range resolution is a function of the bandwidth of the returning signal. This is true even for direct detection, i.e. short pulses. Selective absorption and dispersion turn short pulses into longer pulses, which would degrade the range resolution. The Impulse Response Function is a function of the spectral integrity and/or the ability to whiten/equalize the signal. Finally, for synthetic aperture systems, the ratio of the spatial correlation parameter to synthetic aperture length is critical. DARPA/STO is concerned not only with received power but with preservation of bandwidth and coherence over the full transmitted space-frequency aperture spectral integrity and the wave structure function. Interested parties should submit their position paper by responding to this RFI as described in the instructions to follow. Responders my resubmit white papers previously submitted under RFI SN07-29 only if they include additional citations and/or reference material or if they more clearly quantitatively address attenuation improvement and/or bandwidth/phase preservation/clutter rejection. INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDERS This announcement contains all information required to submit a position paper. No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed. DARPA appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources, including but not limited to universities, university affiliated research centers, federally-funded research centers, private or public companies, and Government research laboratories. DARPA also encourages responses from cross-institution teams of early-career Young Investigators, to be defined as untenured faculty having completed their PhD within the past 6 years. Position papers have the following formatting requirements: a) A one page cover sheet that identifies the title, organization(s), responder's technical and administrative points of contact - including names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses of all co-authors; b) An executive summary with a one page limit summarizing the key ideas; c) A single overview briefing chart graphically depicting the key ideas; d) A technical response to the topics listed above, with a 3 page limit in minimum 10 point font; e) A list of citations including URLs (Any significant claims or reports of success must be accompanied by citations, and reference material MUST be attached). f) The above should be submitted as MS Word, PDF, and/or MS PowerPoint documents. Respondents are encouraged to be mindful of the length of their submissions. Although there is no page limitation, be as brief as possible while at the same time providing actionable insight. Those who submit the most promising approaches will be invited to DARPA for a follow-up meeting to discuss the methodology in more detail and elaborate on proposed approaches. Respondents must submit one original and two paper copies of the full response and one electronic copy of the full RFI response (in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and/or Microsoft PowerPoint on a single CD ROM). Disks must be clearly labeled with RFI SN07-54, offeror organization, and points of contact. The full RFI response (original and designated number of hard and electronic copies) must be submitted to: DARPA/STO, Attn: Dr. Jennifer Ricklin, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. Responses to this RFI are due no later than 4:00PM, Local Time, Arlington, VA, on November 9, 2007. ANY INQUIRIES ON THIS RFI AND/OR WORKSHOP MUST BE SUBMITTED TO
[email protected]. NO TELEPHONIC INQUIRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. DARPA will host a web site in support of RFI SN07-54 Active Infrared Imaging through Clouds and Fog #2,. The Web Site will contain information supplementary to this document such as Question & Answer lists in the event that clarifications are needed. The active URL for the web site is http://www.darpa.mil/sto/solicitations/SN07-54/index.html. DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES This is an RFI issued solely for information and new program planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Respondents are advised that DARPA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Submissions may be reviewed by: The Government ; Federally Funded R&D Centers (IDA and JHU/APL);and Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors ( Solers, Sage-Solutions, and Schafer Corporation).