A Cryogenic Spectrometer ASIC

In situ exploration of planets, moons, asteroids and comets requires spectrometers of minimized size, weight and power (SWaP) capable of tolerating cryogenic temperatures and harsh radiation. A specialized spectrometer ASIC is a critical component in these missions. With support from the NASA SBIR program, we developed a radiation tolerant, highly configurable spectrometer ASIC (P19800C) that meets a broad range of system requirements. This commercially available ASIC digitizes up to 4GHz bandwidth signals, splits the spectrum into 8k frequency bins, and accumulates the frequency-domain voltage or power within each bin over programmable time (2µs to 34s) while using less than 1.75W of power. Compared to solutions based on discrete components, this radiation tolerant ASIC greatly reduces the SWaP of spectrometers, and is used for several NASA missions (SSOLVE, HyMPI and V-WiSHeS). Based on this technology, Pacific Microchip Corp. proposes to develop a spectrometer ASIC capable of operating down to cryogenic temperatures. The expected performance parameters of the ASIC at cryogenic temperatures will improve or remain the same as of the P19800C ASIC, while the power consumption will be reduced to 1.4W. Phase I of the project will prove the feasibility of cryogenic spectrometer ASIC’s implementation at architectural, circuit and layout level. By the end of Phase I, a conclusion on the implementation feasibility and a complete definition of the proposed ASIC will be provided. Phase II will produce the ASIC’s prototype ready for commercialization in Phase III.

The proposed cryogenic spectrometer ASIC is targeted for in situ exploration of atmospheres and surfaces of planets, moons, asteroids and comets. Specific missions include the exploration of Titan, Europa, Ganymede, Mars and shadowed craters on the Moon. The ASIC can also be used for space, airborne and ground-based remote sensing instruments for exploration of cosmic microwave background, of Earth’s atmosphere and its surface. In addition, the proposed ASIC is applicable in Earth based radio telescopes used for astronomy. The proposed ASIC will find application in planetary/moon exploration missions of such space agencies as the ESA, JAXA and CSA. The EPA and NOAA require high precision spectrometers to explore temperature, water vapor, pollutant, ozone, etc. Commercial and science applications include spectrometers employed on satellites, aircraft and air balloons used for remote sensing and surveillance.

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