Arcata Associates, Inc. (Arcata), in support of the Research Facilities and Engineering Support Services contract at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, intends to acquire two (2) S-Band and Lower and Upper L-Band Flight Qualified Transmitter and Receivers.
Required features of the transmitter are:
• PCM/FM Modulation - Legacy waveform for maximum compatibility with existing range ground equipment. Premod filtering is built in, eliminating external filters.
• SOQPSK-TG Modulation - Advanced Range Telemetry (ARTM) Tier I waveform delivers twice the spectral efficiency of PCM/FM. SOQPSK-TG is fully interchangeable with FQPSK, but SOQPSK requires no intellectual property license.
• Multi-h CPM Modulation - ARTM Tier II waveform delivers 2.5 times the spectral efficiency of PCM/FM.
• Direct Digital Synthesis - Exceptional spectral purity, without spurious spectral lines due to I-Q modulator imbalances.
• Automatic Data Rate Tracking - Accepts input clock at any rate from 1 Mbps to 20 Mbps, with no programming or configuration.
• VCO-free Design - Immunity to shock and vibration, allowing application on platforms with severe dynamics.
• Integral Randomizer - 15-stage LFSR, per IRIG 106. Selectable for bypass or enable.
• Integrated Programmable Clock Generator - Programmable clock with RS-422 output, for clocking external data device.
• Common control interface for all three bands.
• 6 cubic inches, 2.00” (W) x 3.00” (L) x 1.00” (H)
• 10 watts RF output
• Tuning ranges: 1435.5 MHz to 1534.5 MHz, 2200.5 MHz to 2389.5 MHz, 1755.0 MHz to 1850.0 MHz
• Carrier frequency accuracy: ± 2.5 ppm over temperature
Required features of the receivers:
• Complete Receiver – RF in to clock and data out, a single-box solution which accepts RF signals, and delivers baseband clock and data. No external add-ons required.
• Tuning ranges: 1435.5 MHz to 1534.5 MHz, 2200.5 MHz to 2389.5 MHz, 1755.0 MHz to 1850.0 MHz
• True Trellis Demodulation in all ARTM Modes - Optimal performance for ARTM Tier 0, I and II is achieved only by trellis detection. Quasonix offers the only demodulator in the market which provides true trellis detection in all three modes.
• 3.5 dB Improvement in PCM/FM Performance - Second-generation multi-symbol demodulator improves BER performance by 3.5 dB over the best single-symbol demodulators, to within 0.2 dB of the theoretical limit.
• Modulation Index Tracking for PCM/FM - Unlike first-generation multi-symbol demodulators, Quasonix’ design maintains its superior BER performance even if the received signal’s modulation index changes by up to ±15% (patent pending).
• 21 cubic inch package
• Integrated Bit Synchronizer
• Integrated De-Randomizer - Standard IRIG-106 fifteen-stage de-randomizer, selectable for bypass or enable.
• Modulation types: ARTM Tier 0 (PCM/FM), ARTM Tier I (SOQPSK-TG), ARTM Tier II (ARTM CPM)
• 8 IF bandwidths: 250 kHz, 500 kHz, 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 10 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz. Automatic selection based on modulation type and data rate, with manual override
• Rapid Synchronization - Synchronizes up to 100 times faster – and maintains sync at lower signal-to-noise ratios – than other ARTM demodulators in the market.
• Synchronization time, average - Tier 0: 250 bits @ 0 dB Eb/N0, Tier I: 385 bits @ 2 dB Eb/N0, Tier II: 2,800 bits @ 2 dB Eb/N0
• Acquisition threshold Tier 0: -2 dB Eb/N0, Tier I: 0 dB Eb/N0, Tier II: 2 dB Eb/N0
Arcata intends to negotiate only, on a sole source basis, with Quasonix, LLC of West Chester, Ohio to acquire two (2) S-band, and Lower and Upper L-band flight qualified transmitters and receivers. Quasonix has designed a complete airborne receiver with built-in demodulator and requires no external add-on in a very small package that easily used in the required platform. Additionally, Quasonix's commercial product meets NASA's specifications without significant modification and cost so that availability will not impact mission schedule. Any other product that will take more than 180 days to design, test, and deliver will impact the project schedule. Arcata intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. This solicitation is for supplies and services for which Arcata intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR Part 6.302. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation by 4:00 PM PDT on June 21, 2006 which shall be considered by Arcata. A determination by Arcata to not compete this solicitation is solely within the discretion of Arcata. Responses received after this date will not be considered. It is the interested firm’s responsibility to monitor this Internet site for the release of any amendments, and clarifying questions and answers. No hard copy will be provided by this office. Oral communications are not acceptable in this response to this notice.
