-200°C Rad hard Cold Capable Thermally multiplexed controller

Frequency Management International (FMI) proposes to deliver a conceptually validated feasibility study (in Phase 1) for a novel, Rad-hard Cold Capable Thermally multiplexed integrated controller (aka TMC) to discipline electronic components and sensors. The concept is adaptable to various components and it is a thermal stabilization engine. In Phase 1 we will investigation to apply TMC to the design of a highly accurate cold capable and compact clock source with frequency stability in parts per billion (ppb) range when operating at temperatures as low as -200°C. TMC electronics (in the form of ASIC) includes coarse and fine temperature range detection as well as integrated PWM to steer the temperature to delivery the desired temperature stability. The two level thermal multiplexing is expected to provide 4 orders of magnitude accuracy improvement compared to a standalone and uncompensated clock. The miniaturized enclosure will be a breakthrough compared to any alternative that does not even offer cold capable and rad hard operation. Upon sufficient investigation in phase 1, we will in phase 2 implement and fabricate the TCM and also a part-per-billion clock (PPBC). TMC design will be fabricated on semiconductor process with proven history and availability. Our design partner is University of Tennessee with a team working with Dr. Blalock. The resonator in the stable clock will be designed based on our investigation of the very small form-factor packaged crystals that minimize power requirements for stabilization. The stable clock will be an efficient, low mass, low power, and agile. The design range PPBC offers scalable output frequency in the 20 to 120MHz range, superior output spectral purity (low jitter-low phase noise) and deliver ultra stable clock accuracy operating to -200°C for which there is no present component based alternative.

Thermally stabilized clock sources are always in demand for many of the NASA space missions and applications. Even for more standard temperature ranges, the size, power and weight of the present alternatives have been a concern and those components are in the highest component costs categories. Our target application for proposed phase 1 is to not only offer a compelling solution for cold capable deep space systems but to pave the way and present a much lighter, lower power and more agile solution compared to what is available now at much lower cost. Additionally, the design of the thermally multiplexed controller (TMC) will enable solutions for Hi-Rel applications that are wide range for thermally stabilized and low noise oscillators. Frequencies could be in the MHz to GHz range. Some would utilize classical crystals used as reference clocks. Others could use surface acoustic wave resonators (SAW) which will reach to low GHz frequency range. Other applications could be phase-locked sources using other high quality factor resonators (including optical domain devices such as locked lasers) to reach mm wave frequencies. Firs of all, everything mentioned for NASA application would apply. Therefore the availability and applicability extends to other cold capable missions planned or envisioned by ESA, JAXSA, or other NASA partners to be defined in future. The recent trends in defining new lunar missions will find many more opportunities for TMC and stable clock simply due to its attractive and compelling attributes of smaller, lighter and lower power. Certain modern Avionics & Sensors and specifically those Avionics & Sensors used by drones flying at different altitudes would be a very attractive candidate. That is precisely due to the interest in having longer range or higher altitude drones for wide range of monitoring, surveillance and other aerial requirements and applications.

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.