Precision Inertial Navigation & Positioning On an Integrated Tesseract (PINPOINT)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals for the Precision Inertial Navigation & Positioning On an Integrated Tesseract (PINPOINT) program. The program aims to develop novel inertial sensors based on physics such as electromagnetically levitated proof masses, non-linear resonators, and high-velocity tethered microsystems. The goal is to overcome the decade-long performance plateau of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial measurement units (IMUs) and deliver proof-of-concept six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) IMUs meeting the requirements of Department of Defense (DoD)-relevant missions. Key aspects of the program include: * Developing revolutionary sensor architectures that operate in highly nonlinear regimes * Tight co-design of the physical sensor package with advanced, real-time adaptive control systems * Delivering navigation and pointing performance approaching that of navigation-grade systems in GPS-contested environments * Developing a Prototype Design Kit (PDK) and a Design Guide to enable a new generation of low SWaP gyroscopes and accelerometers