A Board Level Solution for Correlation Radiometers

The proposed project aims to develop a board level solution for the NASA’s microwave correlation radiometers required for Earth sensing applications. Spaceborne instrumentation requires minimized size, weight and power (SWaP). Present solutions rely on analog signal processing, thus are bulky, power hungry and cannot be reprogrammed. Analog filter parameters tend to be unstable over temperature, power supply voltage, may degrade over time and need additional tuning. The proposed solution will process an IF I/Q signal up to 10GHz, derived, for example, in water vapor sounders at 180GHz band. To implement the required function, a previously developed ASIC will be redesigned to improve its analog front-end performance and implement a new DSP function with the increased SEE immunity. Within the DSP block, IF input signals will be channelized into 64 bands and cross-correlated within each band. Several innovations will be introduced to the ASIC and the board level solution to combine improved performance, programmability, minimized SWaP and radiation sensitivity. The project’s Phase I provided the proof of project’s feasibility. Phase II will provide a silicon proven ASIC and the board level solution for correlation radiometers.

The proposed solution will greatly reduce the size, complexity, power consumption and increase reliability of radiometers required for remote sensing instruments within Earth, planet and sun exploration missions. The proposed ASIC can find application in radiometers required for radio astronomy for measurements of the properties of the CMB. CubeSat swarms require precise yet power efficient position synchronization between satellites which can be implemented by using correlation radiometers tracking a common radiation source.

Commercial applications include radiometers on communication, remote sensing and navigation satellites. Compact radiometer-based positioning is crucial for swarms of satellites to maintain certain formation. For EPA and NOAA applications, both space and ground based remote sensing instruments require high precision radiometers for temperature, water vapor, pollutant, ozone and other exploration.

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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