Radiation-Hard, Low-Power FMCW Signal Processing ASIC

Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR is an emerging technology with significant advantages for rover-based applications on planetary bodies and moons, offering enhanced range resolution compared to traditional time-of-flight systems. While current FMCW LiDAR implementations achieve the necessary performance for such missions, their signal processing backends are power-hungry and lack the radiation hardness required for operation in extreme space environments. To address these limitations, SenseICs proposes the development of a radiation-hardened FMCW signal processing application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that significantly reduces power consumption—by more than an order of magnitude—while maintaining high-fidelity signal processing capabilities. This ASIC will be designed to withstand the harsh radiation conditions encountered in space, ensuring robust and reliable performance in planetary exploration missions. By integrating power-efficient architectures and radiation-hardening techniques, this innovation will enable next-generation FMCW LiDAR systems to operate with improved energy efficiency and survivability, advancing autonomous navigation and hazard detection for space exploration rovers. In Phase II, SenseICs will team with SiLC, a small business who specializes in FMCW LiDAR systems. SiLC will provide the FMCW optical system and front end and SenseICs will develop our Radiation-Hard, Low-Power FMCW Signal Processing ASIC for integration into the SiLC system for a demonstration at the end of Phase II.

Entry, descent, and landing (EDL) and deorbit, descent, and landing (DDL), Planetary Surface Mapping, Topographic and Elevation Mapping of Earth, Atmospheric Studies, Autonomous Navigation and Hazard, Detection for Spacecraft, Astrobiology and Resource Mapping, Rendezvous and Orbital Maneuvers, Surface and Subsurface Exploration, and Spacecraft Navigation for Satellite Constellations Any-Range hazard detection and avoidance, Crop mapping, Lunar laser-ranging and topography, Pollution modeling, cloud profiling, and gas composition data retrieval, Earthquake damage, glacier changes, and oceanography, Deforestation and forest fire management, Forensics, speed guns, and license plate recognition, Oil and gas exploration and calculation of ore volumes, Railway infrastructure and road design, Docking, assembly, hazard detection and avoidance, and Hazard detection and avoidance, imaging payload

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.

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