A 10GHz 4k Frequency Bin Polarimetric Spectrometer ASIC

Spectrometers currently employed or under development by NASA are based on a PCB including FPGAs and several other discrete components. In contrast, an ASIC based spectrometer offers a great reduction in weight, volume and power consumption. The proposed solution aims to prove the feasibility (Phase I), develop and test (Phase II) a 10GHz 4K frequency bin polarimetric spectrometer ASIC. The ASIC will digitize two 10GHz RF signals using 6-bit 20GS/s ADCs, channelize each input signal’s spectrum into 212 (4096) frequency bins, and then accumulate either spectral power or the Stokes parameters for each bin. In order to implement the required functionality and meet the specifications, the proposed ASIC will include state-of-the-art ADCs, a PLL, poly-phase filter based FFT cores, an accumulation block, a data readout function, a digital control unit and testing features. Tolerance to at least 200krads of TID radiation and immunity to the SEEs will be achieved by employing radiation hardening by design, by layout, by system level techniques, and also by applying an ultrathin gate oxide technology for implementation. The power consumption will be reducible by allowing specific applications to switch off portions of the spectrum, reduce the bin count and the sample rate.

Polarimetric spectrometers are required for analyzing polarization states of incoming EM radiation in applications which include the Earth’s observation and planetary exploration. Polarimetric spectrometers are required to measure various phenomena including atmospheric precipitation and planetary magnetic field behaviors. In astrophysics, cosmic EM radiation can originate from various sources in space. Analyzing the polarization state of the signals can help to differentiate multiple closely located cosmic sources.

The applications include processing data from SARs, sonars, or visible light/infrared/UV image detectors employed on satellites, aircraft and air balloons for remote sensing and surveillance. Applications in the EPA and NOAA space, airborne and ground-based instruments require polarimetric spectrometers for temperature, precipitation, ocean wave, pollutant and ozone measurements.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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