DroneShield and Defence Innovation Network are partnering to deliver next-generation drone signal disruption.
Defence Innovation Network calls for expressions of interest (EOIs) from member universities to participate in the projects defined below.
Please submit your EOI through the link below by 08h00 AEDT on 15 Nov 2021.
Research partners with knowledge of and experience in the delivery of projects for Defence would be strongly preferred. EOIs should focus on Stage 1. Defence Innovation Network and DroneShield will contact applicants relating to potential next steps.
Stage 1: Proof of concept
Funding: up to $100k, fully funded by DroneShield
Time Frame: 3-month project, November 2021 onwards
Description: DroneShield will provide the research organisation with sample data for three wireless protocols as an IQ stream. The research organisation will develop innovative wireless disruption algorithms to disrupt protocol communications successfully.
The intention is for the research organisation to take a ‘Smart Jamming’ approach whereby the algorithm is based on an assault on vulnerabilities, for example, error correction checksums, messages related to acknowledgements, synchronisation channels, time slots. DroneShield can provide insight into existing research into both detection and disruption of provided protocols.
Examples of the types of protocols that require disruption may include Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Frequency-hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) and 802.11(ax/ac/n/g/a/b/legacy) Wi-Fi.
The successful research proposal should clearly address and demonstrate the following features:
- Ability to provide disruption algorithms that maximise radiated power efficiency, i.e. energy-efficient sophisticated jamming rather than barrage jamming (required)
- Flexibility in application towards near-peer protocols, i.e. the possibility that the algorithm might be able to disrupt near-peer protocols, to maximise the chances that it can be a more scalable algorithm that can be easily adapted to different signals of interest (preferred)
Deliverable: Documentation and Software code solution for 3 functional disruption transmission algorithms aligned to the provided protocols.
Security Clearance Required: None
Stage 2: Technology Maturity and Expansion
Funding: up to $500k, funded under ARC Linkage or similar, with matched in-kind contributions from DroneShield (staffing and capital equipment)
Time Frame: 6 to 9 months, anticipated mid-2022 once appropriate co-funding is secured.
Description: Upon successful conclusion of stage 1 of the project, DroneShield aims to acquire funding support to complete Stage 2, expanding the number of protocol disruption algorithms. DroneShield will provide the research organisation with data for up to fifteen wireless protocols. The company will provide additional resources, including data, support staff and capital equipment to develop and test solution effectiveness. Overall requirements and criteria are as set out above.
Deliverable: Documentation and Software code solution for up to 15 functional disruption transmission algorithms aligned to the provided protocols.
Security Clearance Required: None
