V-Band Switch (65-70 GHz)

Millimeter Wave Systems, LLC proposes to further develop and commercialize latching waveguide ferrite circulator technology with characteristics targeted at the new AOS (Atmosphere Observing System) mission’s radar instrument DORA (DOppler RAdar) for Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, and the “Microwave Barometric Radar and Sounder (MBARS) for NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. Both organizations have determined that this work can help achieve their goals for these instruments with Phase II E development.

The proposed work will provide NASA with millimeter wave latching switches for use in remote sensing applications like differential absorption radar for measuring surface level pressure. The new AOS (Atmosphere Observing System) mission’s radar instrument DORA (DOppler RAdar) for Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, and the “Microwave Barometric Radar and Sounder (MBARS) for NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center have been identified as potential applications for this technology.

Commercial weather radar companies would directly benefit from the millimeter wave switch by providing an off-the-shelf solution for high power radar applications. The technology could also be adapted for use in high frequency NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). Redundancy switching in hi-reliability applications like communications would also benefit from this technology.

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.