Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) programmable integrated circuit (IC) co-development
Design, develop, prototype, and demonstrate COTS devices at the leading edge with commercial partners matching to deliver assured FPGAs, graphics processing units (GPUs), machine learning, and data processing parts that meet current future DoD needs at commercial cost and timelines. Prototype software assurance and hardware assurance tools and security features and secure design environments for the development of these parts support proactive awareness and security.
Spectrum Warfare Technologies related to advanced and custom optics, advanced threat assessment, and exploitation efforts
Development, demonstration, and exploitation of technologies, algorithms, and methods that expand the ability for assured and immediate access to domestic production of advanced microelectronics and disruptive research and development investments to surpass the impending limitations of Moore’s Law on silicon microelectronics. Innovative designs, models, and prototypes are desired to enhance Electronic design automation (EDA) Tools; reverse engineering tools and demonstrations; intellectual property (IP) capture and library development; develop & demonstrate IP protection techniques, processes, and prototypes; system on chip (SOC) development, prototyping, demonstration, and capability insertion; obfuscation development and prototyping; hardware Trojan evaluation, test development & prototype demonstration; and image process development, prototype demonstration & automation.
Defense programs use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) microelectronic assemblies within their system designs. These assemblies do not incorporate trust (synonymous with hardware assurance) architectures to ensure detection of and protection from hardware Trojans. Develop and demonstrate design, fabrication, and packaging techniques to ensure trust in microelectronic hardware assemblies that utilize state-of-the-art (SOTA) technologies including 2.5D and 3D fabrication. Fabricating prototype hardware that incorporates the demonstrated trust techniques to validate and verify innovative techniques.
Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)
(FPGAs) are utilized in nearly all DoD Weapon systems and a significant element of the Trusted and Assured Microelectronics (T&AM) strategy is to ensure the ability to ensure trusted FPGA devices. Achieving the objective will require novel and unique methods including but not limited to design, manufacturing, imagining, tagging, control, and assessment approaches for protecting the DoD’s supply chain and intellectual property of the next generation of FPGA technology for defense end-use, advancing the U.S. and allied nations’ technical superiority. Prototype development and demonstration in the areas of State-Of-The-Art (SOTA) trusted FPGAs; FPGA Analysis Tools; FPGA Built-In-Self-Tests (BIST); and FPGA Supply Chain Protection Techniques.
Development, demonstration, and exploitation of technologies, algorithms, and methods that expand the ability of a computer to learn from data, other computers, or sensors, without human intervention. Machine Learning computers can improve themselves from data, knowledge, experience, and interaction with other computers. A computer with machine learning capabilities will use elements of statistics, knowledge science, computer science/systems, natural language processing, large database construction and management, and planning and control to improve its ability to suggest or predict outcomes of situations.
Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM)
Development, demonstration, and exploitation of technologies, algorithms, and methods that expand the ability of MRAM technology. In order to fully evaluate and validate trust (synonymous with hardware assurance) of the MRAM devices, the Government requires access to test modes not typically made available by manufacturers. Provide access to these test modes by reaching an agreement with the manufacturers for access to the test mode IP, and provide engineering technical support for Government test engineers conducting verification and validation tests.
Develop advanced prototype microelectronic components for use in multispectral sensors, high-power RF amplifiers, navigation, precision timing, and communications systems. This includes the development of algorithms, measurement techniques, hardware, and techniques to validate the reliability and maintainability of DoD required systems and components. Interest in counterfeit electronics component detection technology and mitigation techniques.
Develop prototype technologies that will result in alternative materials or surrogate (next generation) materials for those no longer available from a source that meets the trust requirements of U.S. Military programs. Materials, electronics packaging technologies, or processes that improve the performance, reliability, or availability of high-power RF amplifiers and Electronic Warfare systems. Efforts include prototype hardware or materials demonstrating the developed technology. Areas of interest include: defense manufacturing parts, radomes, metamaterials, tools and capabilities applicable to microelectronics, printed circuit boards, wave guides, amplifiers, RF apertures, and interconnects.
Microelectronics and Electronic Warfare focused Workforce Development
Develop access to training and skill development for the university, DoD, and small businesses. This includes SOTA processes for test articles and training; promoting design challenges and hacks around hardware IP development/assurance.
Microelectronics Obsolescence and Replacement
Design, develop, prototype, and demonstrate and support the rapid replacement of entire obsolete boards with a single SoC part, eliminating the legacy supply chain risks and delivering a future-proof technology without having to upgrade software systems. Secure designs environments and V&V supercomputers will ensure full software and system integration and compatibility. Support critical process IP (IBM 9LP, 130SF) installation at one to two USG and/or merchant foundries for USG use. This IP is required to ensure the continued availability of these critical technologies by providing for second sources. It is needed to install IP purchased from Global Foundries (GF) in FY19 while GF subject matter expertise is available and current in the technologies.
Develop and demonstrate virtual prototype models to support the component, system, engagement, and mission level. Includes prototypes that allow the interconnection of hardware in the loop with computer models and/or the use of virtual and augmented reality. Applications may include defense weapon system supply chain risk management (SCRM), electronic warfare engagements, cyber vulnerability threat analysis, and innovative uses of technology to achieve military advantage.
Development, demonstration, and exploitation of technologies, algorithms, and methods that expand the ability and improve sensors operating in the electromagnetic spectrum.
New Microelectronics Development, Demonstration, and Capability Insertion
Public/private co-development of system-on-chip (SoC) that give 1000x performance improvement for DoD and commercial applications, through competition; hardware assurance, emulation, and virtual verification and validation (V&V) to enable assured and secure IP; fabrication and packaging at SOTP government and merchant foundries; and design, packaging, testing, and integration of SoCs into a capability. This investment is intended to ensure that the most significant, new microelectronics devices, supporting artificial intelligence (AI) applications, robust communications, and big data processing, sensor fusion, address United States Government (USG) and industry needs and allow for rapid insertion into acquisition systems with assurance and security.
Develop standards and practices to foster commercial development of secure, trusted, and assured parts. Document and promulgate security-enhancing design practices across government, industry, and academia in the areas of standard program outreach material; standard training material; Government and industry standards and best practices; and self-service libraries of standards and best practices.
Radiation Hardened by Process (RHBP)/Radiation Hardened by Design (RHBD)
Develop processes for SOTP access for 90nm, with a path to 65nm technology node for strategic RHBP for Joint Federated Assurance Center (JFAC) and NNSA evaluation and qualification. Support the secure design of RHBD IP in all major domestic foundries and fabrication of SOTA test articles for evaluation and qualification by JFAC and NNSA. Develop prototype proactive awareness and security.
Radiation Hardened Microelectronics
Development, demonstration, and exploitation of technologies, algorithms, and methods that expand the ability for innovative design, manufacturing, and assessment approaches for trusted, strategic radiation-hardened (RAD-HARD) electronics in advanced technology nodes for next-generation strategic systems. This may include but is not limited to RAD-HARD by Design (RHBD) for the development of innovative techniques, characterization of radiation performance of alternate sources (foundries) including advanced technology nodes, modeling to predict radiation response, and investment to lead the development of the next generation of radiation-hardened microelectronics technology for defense end-use, advancing the U.S. and allied nations’ technical superiority. RAD-HARD by process Research and Development (R&D), prototyping, demonstration, and Strategic Radiation Hardened Electronics Council (SRHEC) process development and standards are also areas for innovation.
Radio Frequency (RF) and Optoelectronic (OE) Microelectronics
Support the secure design of RF and OE IP in all domestic major foundries. RF & OE prototyping across DoD and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Fabrication of novel RF & OE designs in state-of-the-practice (SOTP) and SOTA foundries or critical DoD needs. Enhanced lithography and process capabilities of SOTP for RF & OE R&D for DoD and commercial use to gain a competitive advantage over adversaries.
Spectrum Warfare Technologies related to advanced and custom optics, advanced threat assessment, and exploitation efforts
Spectrum Warfare Technologies (All Other)
Related to cognitive/adaptive, distributed/networked multispectral sensors, high power RF, spectral agility, low probability of intercept communications, RF and infrared countermeasures, and coherent RF transmission.
Related to nuclear deterrence, anti-tamper; cyber hardware security; ballistic missile launcher, fire control, navigation, guidance, and ballistic missile hardware; model-based systems engineering; hypersonics models, simulation and prototypes; underwater launch models, simulations and prototypes, and design enhancements.
Development, demonstration, and exploitation of technologies, algorithms, and methods that expand the ability and improve microelectronics test and verification methodologies in support of verifying the trust and assurance of parts.
