AiRANACULUS Wins Defense Innovation Unit - Air Force Research Lab RF Spectrum Sharing Challenge

AI-based Radio Solution Improves Performance of Mission Critical Wireless Networks

LOWELL, Mass., Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AiRANACULUS®, a private, Massachusetts-based technology company providing Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) based wireless network solutions, has been declared the winner of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) - Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) RF Spectrum Sharing Challenge (RFSSC). DIU, in partnership with the AFRL, conducted the challenge to identify wireless solutions that can operate in congested radio frequency (RF) spectrum environments for the Department of Defense (DoD).

AiRANACULUS won the DIU-AFRL competition utilizing their signal processing and AI-based radio product which can distinguish approved wireless communications from interference caused by unauthorized transmitters. The AiRANACULUS Autonomous Interference Detection and Characterization (AIDaC) radio software has a broad range of applications, from wireless service providers seeking to reduce operational costs (OPEX) due to coverage issues to high performance smart manufacturing applications.

"RF spectrum sensing is the lifeblood of spectrum situation awareness and spectrum management. The RFSS Challenge supports transformative advancements in enabling technologies such as advanced signal processing, machine learning and generation of relevant training data. It identifies the best solutions and accelerates growth and innovation," said Dr. Vasu Chakravarthy from AFRL. "Solutions such as the one demonstrated by AiRANACULUS will speed adoption of advanced machine learning and RF signal processing technologies for vital DoD programs and shape the future of military and civilian spectrum sharing."

Spectrum congestion is a critical obstacle for both military and civilian operations. The goal of the competition was to use dynamic spectrum sharing techniques to improve spectrum efficiency. Participants were tasked with devising innovative approaches to detect, characterize, recognize, monitor and manage signals within the shared spectrum. The aim was to identify time epochs and frequencies where primary or secondary signals could be transmitted. The challenge focused on the rapid and precise sensing of shared spectrum segments to optimize their utilization across diverse user categories and ensure situational awareness.

The eight-month DIU-AFRL competition was comprised of multiple rounds of increasingly complex RF scenarios and featured a mix of radar and communications signals. The AiRANACULUS solution outperformed those of seventeen competing teams, successfully detecting and processing over 500 signals within a 10-second, 50 MHz spectrum window.

"The Spectrum Sharing Challenge was a rigorous, performance-driven assessment of leading edge approaches to dynamic spectrum management," said Dr. Apurva N. Mody, Founder and CEO of AiRANACULUS. "We are honored to be recognized as a best-in-class solution."

AiRANACULUS will be demonstrating its winning spectrum management solution at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, March 3-6, 2025, in Booth 8.1A60.

For more information, please visit www.airanaculus.com.

About AiRANACULUS

AiRANACULUS (www.airanaculus.com) is at the forefront in Intelligent RF and Networking Solutions for applications ranging from Space to Smart Cities. The company has assembled the world's leading experts to provide algorithms, reference architectures and products in signal processing, cross-layer analysis, cybersecurity, and networking to create spectrum aware technologies capable of re-configuring radio and sensor systems for optimal performance in congested and contested environments.

About Defense Innovation Unit

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) strengthens national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology in the Department of Defense and bolstering our allied and national security innovation bases. DIU partners with organizations across the DoD to rapidly prototype and field dual-use capabilities that solve operational challenges at speed and scale. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Chicago and Washington, D.C., DIU is the Department's gateway to leading technology companies across the country.

About Air Force Research Laboratory

The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit: www.afresearchlab.com.

SOURCE AiRANACULUS