-200 °C Rad-Hard Compact Rugged RF Modulator

Design and fabrication of BICMOS 90 nm SiGe 9HP circuit blocks leading to pulse width modulator (PWM) for laser modulation in optical communication and binary phase shift key (BPSK) modulator for rf communication. Both modulators require stable clock for reliable cold capable operation so highly stable reference clock is designed to enable reliable modulation and signal recovery. Designs of the circuits and functional blocks (such as Op Amp, Voltage reference, comparator, varactor diode, etc.) not only have direct role in the CCM variety, they offer individual component based solution to much wider rangeof cold capable and rad hard applications. Utilization of BICMOS 90nm SiGe 9HP process and HBD techniques are quite synergistic in enabling the widest range of high performance circuit blocks for deep space robotics and other wider scope of space application platforms. Low flicker noise in SiGe-HBT makes it the preferred choice for low phase noise clocks and oscillator used in radar and demanding high bit density DSP applications and extending tospace based navigation and guidance systems. A highly valuable outcome of the investigation is to have a clear approach to clean spectrum, highly stable signal sources that offers very low phase noise and RMS jitter thus making it quite suitable for in-situ and agile DSP for robotic systems, highly precision sensors in harsh environment and software defined radio (SDR). Furthermore, in addition to being a basic rugged and rad-hard modulator, it is directly and efficiently adaptable to be used as a highly stable frequency source without the need for thermal stabilization. It directly addresses applications relying sub ppm stability with no size, weight or power penalty. An example of the application could be a local oscillator for autonomous robotic navigation and also in the signal chain that is typically used in mobile and agile radar. Novel, compact, low power, scalable Band, cold capable (-200 to +125°C), Rad-hard Modulator (CCM) designed on SiGe BICMOS 90nm 9HP process. PWM and BPSK modulators are critical element in cold capable rad hard laser sources and radios, enabling rf and optical communication. All subcircuits in CCM like transistor, op-amp, volt/ref , comparator, Varactor, .. envisioned to be available as stand alone to enable other cold capable electronic functions. In ph1, SiGe 9HP modeling tools have led to successful simulation of SiGe 9HP diode down to -200C. Temperature stability and accuracy of the CCM relies on highly stable signal sources with low phase noise. In Ph1 we have already designed, fabricated and tested stable oscillator operating -151 to +125C and simulated temperature compensated performance that can achieve <10 ppm with specially designed algorithms improving to <0.5ppm to be done in Ph2. Same stable, low power, low jitter cold capable source can be used for variety of DSP and harsh environment sensor applications. Assembly and packaging demonstrated and passed stress test in ph1.  Design and simulation of SiGe circuit blocks to map the functional block requirements of BPSK, PWM and stable clock source. These circuit blocks will be designed and simulated by utilizing the applicable device modeling tools that are available and licensed to our design partner SiArt. Design techniques and device configuration options in SiGe BICMOS will be utilized in each case to not only address the cold capable performance but the radiation hardness and in particular the single event latch-up immunity (SEL). Design margins include the four corners and optimization of knobs with respect to temperature and operating voltage. Circuits that will be used in the design of the stable clock have been defined in PH1, a sample hardware had been fabricated to operate down to -151C with valuable test data to help in Ph2. Stable clock will be designed to be adaptable to different temperature ranges based on the usage of an optimized high Q factor Quartz resonator that has already been examined at -180C. Temperature compensation techniques investigated in Ph1 will be utilized to yield remarkable frequency stability vs, temperature range as a cornerstone of any communication link. Simulation will address design features that would offer direct path to commercialization of the yielded circuit blocks modulators. Device packaging will include the commonly required and reliability features. 

Our NASA assigned technical monitor has been very helpful in contributing to the what if thought process about the potential applications. The potential applications of the CCM for NASA include laser modulation for optical communication, robotic RF wireless or other communication, high bit density DSP subsystems, guidance and navigation subsystems. NASA application for the sub circuits within CCM  include sensors, signal processing, RF active filter, low noise  Synthesizers,  electronic sub systems that require frequency and/or voltage ref, LDO Applications include all those described for NASA app. Also, LEO/MEO/GEO satellites, payloads, surveillance satellites, low jitter pixel clock generators for deep space robotic missions. Robotic solutions to nuclear reactor repair and maintenance. Low flicker noise properties of SiGe especially in the HBT config leads to low noise, highly stable rf sources, Highly linear cold capable temp sensing  

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