Low Power Reconfigurable FPGA Transponder

This task will develop a prototype flight transponder based on low power FPGAs capable of implementing existing Electra, CoNNECT, UST, and Iris waveforms.

Under this initiative, a prototype Ka-Band exciter and receiver are under development; suitable FPGAs that are lower power than the Virtex 5 but still compatible with a deep space environment are being surveyed with a goal of a lower power Iris V2 implementation; and a trade study is being conducted to determine under what conditions a CPU is needed and what software would run on it.

Increased science return

Increased competitiveness and data return for smallsats

Increased data return for smallsats

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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.