The challenge

Context of the challenge

Signal congestion and adversary jamming are just some of the obstacles operational staff can encounter when trying to manage secure, battlefield communications.

High-power, portable radio systems are all-important to make safe communications possible. These are relied on to securely enable the transfer of tactical data, including streaming high bandwidth information and intelligence back to headquarters.

However, the increased processing power and transmission levels required for this data can generate significant waste heat. If left unmanaged, this heat can degrade equipment performance, reduce hardware lifespan, and creates a thermal signature that can be detected by enemy sensors.

HMGCC Co-Creation is seeking innovative heat dissipation solutions that can be integrated across a diverse range of software defined radio systems, from existing hardware to future platforms, to ensure operational reliability and personnel safety.

The gap

Managing thermal loads in electronic components is a persistent engineering challenge. While traditional methods, such as thermal interface material, heat sinks, heat pipes, and active cooling (fans or liquid cooling) are effective, they each present significant trade-offs regarding size, weight, power and reliability.

Because no single ’one size fits all’ solution exists, this challenge seeks a versatile heat transfer method that can be commoditised for broader national security and defence procurement. It should be possible to retrofit this solution into high-power radio systems while remaining adaptable for other critical user cases.

Example use case

Captain Baker is commanding a unit operating in a battlefield where maintaining a low electronic and thermal signature is critical for survival.

To avoid detection and targeting by adversaries, the unit must adhere to strict emission control procedures.

To maintain command control with headquarters, the unit employs a multi-band, multi waveform field software defined radio using Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands. The radio is used to send back critical information, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data transfers.

The equipment is person portable, housed in a portable transit case (approximately 50L), designed for rapid deployment by personnel.

Due to the requirement for sustained high-power transmission at 20W over extended periods of time, the radio generates significant waste heat. If used for too long it can cause drift in frequency, electronic component degradation and a thermal signature that could be picked up be an adversary.

Captain Baker needs a thermal management solution to dissipate heat effectively without needing to make the radio kit bigger in size or compromising power efficiency. Given the operational environment, the solution must be ‘plug-and-play’, requiring no specialised maintenance or additional technical training for the operator, ensuring seamless integration with existing field-deployable hardware.

Project scope

The challenge is focused on developing and commoditising heat dissipation methods for high-power software defined radio systems. Although exact models of the radio system will not be supplied, we can direct innovators to relevant similar commercial models during the project.

The outcome should be a demonstrator after a 12-week project, to minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 (technology basic validation in a relevant environment).

Essential requirements:

• Must show a working prototype, delivering this to sponsors for independent testing.
• Must be small enough to integrate with person-portable, field-deployable radio equipment.
• Must add no complexity to the system from the user’s perspective.
• Develop a roadmap to a low-cost solution.
• Must be applicable for a land-based solution.
• Must minimise the thermal signature without reducing electronic power efficiency.

Desirable requirements:

• Low noise solution.
• Could be applicable to maritime and air domains.
• Passive cooling methods are preferred however active cooling is within scope.

Constraints:

• The existing radio system fits within a 50-litre portable container.
• The software defined radio operated in the 0 – 40 GHz domain and at 20W
  continuous and up to 50W for 30 seconds.

Not required:

• A horizon scan.

Eligibility

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.

Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co- Creation challenges.

Invitation to present

Successful applicants will be invited to a pitch day, giving them a chance to meet the HMGCC Co-Creation team and pitch the proposal during a 20-minute presentation, followed by questions.

After the pitch day, a final funding decision will be made. For unsuccessful applicants, feedback will be given in a timely manner.

Clarifying questions

Clarifying questions or general requests for assistance can be submitted directly to [email protected] before the deadline with the challenge title as the subject. These clarifying questions may be technical, procedural, or commercial in subject, or anything else where assistance is required. Please note that answered questions will be published to facilitate a fair and open competition.

How to apply

Please submit your application on the HMGCC Co-Creation website. Any queries please email [email protected] and [email protected].

All information you provide to us as part of your application will be handled in confidence.

Applications must be no more than six pages or six slides in length. HMGCC Co-Creation reserves the right to stop reading after six pages if this limit is breached. The page/slide limit excludes title pages, references, personnel CVs and organisational profiles.