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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Design a low-loss (<1dB ) phase shifter compatible with a phased-array architecture at 560GHz. Fabricate phase shifter using silicon deep reactive ion etching. Demonstrate single phase -shifter with low-loss (<1dB) and 180 degrees of phase-shift.
Need: Increase the science return of an instrument by reducing or eliminating spacecraft pointing. Faster pointing of the instrument to enable mapping. Lower power consumption compared to mechanical scanning. Potential applications include Mars wind measurements, microwave-limb sounder follow-on, comet radar and mapping radiometer/spectrometer for icy bodies.
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