Synopsis:

The DARPA Strategic Technology Office (STO) is looking to develop the next generation Network Centric Radio System (NCRS), with additional capabilities and an assured affordable unit price to the user. DARPA envisions two critical technologies for achieving these new goals: 1) a backbone radio architecture that enables a versatile Internet Protocol (IP) network and 2) a radio gateway that enables legacy analog and digital communications systems to be internetworked. As with NCRS, the MAINGATE will enable heterogeneous groups of radios to be integrated into a heterogeneous network tolerant to high latency and packet loss. The technologies developed for the program will permit affordable, tactical, real-time, high fidelity video, data, and voice services to be deployed in a networked environment to support tactical operations in either Maneuver or Dismounted operations. As a result of this effort, DARPA expects a clear demonstration of advanced mobile ad hoc network (MANET) gateway technology that will incorporate a wireless IP-capable network (WIPN), which provides interconnectivity between nodes bridging heterogeneous mixtures of radio networks. A unique characteristic of the MAINGATE program is the integration of a “default” IP radio network as part of the gateway.

Contracting Office Address:
3701 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22203-1714

Primary Point of Contact.:
BAA08-21,
BAA Coordinator
BAA08-21@darpa.mil