ALOHA - Adaptive Large-capacity Optical-infrared High-dynamic-range Array

The ALOHA (Adaptive Large-capacity Optical-infrared High-dynamic-range Array) project addresses the limitations of current infrared (IR) imaging systems for Earth observation, wildfire detection, and remote sensing. Traditional Readout Integrated Circuits (ROICs) struggle with limited charge capacity, high noise at low flux, and excessive power dissipation at high flux, making it difficult to capture high-temperature scenes (300K–1600K) without saturation or image degradation. ALOHA introduces an innovative Residue Digital Pixel ROIC with in-pixel digital counters, achieving orders of magnitude larger well depths and per-pixel autonomous gain control to optimize signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Key innovations include: • Per-pixel autonomous gain control, dynamically adjusting gain for optimal noise performance across varying flux levels. • Per-pixel autonomous anti-saturation control, preventing saturation without external adjustments. • Overflow bit monitoring, extending dynamic range indefinitely. • Low-voltage detector shunt circuitry, significantly reducing power dissipation from high-flux pixels. A preliminary 20µm pixel layout with 24 counter bits demonstrates a 16Te⁻ well capacity, achieving an unprecedented 230dB dynamic range. Power consumption remains below 100mW for a 2048 × 1024 array at low flux and under 400mW for high flux, making it suitable for low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) spaceborne and UAV applications. Under SBIR Phase II, ALOHA will complete ROIC design, fabricate a test chip at a CMOS foundry, and conduct performance characterization. This technology is positioned for NASA’s FireSense, NOAA wildfire monitoring, and DoD ISR applications, with commercial potential in remote sensing and industrial monitoring.

The ALOHA (Adaptive Large-capacity Optical-infrared High-dynamic-range Array) technology offers unmatched dynamic range (230dB), low power consumption, and multispectral flexibility, making it ideal for NASA’s Earth Science, FireSense, and planetary exploration missions. By addressing sensor saturation, noise limitations, and power constraints, ALOHA enables high-precision imaging for wildfire monitoring, climate research, and space-based sensing. 1. Wildfire Detection & Climate Monitoring (NASA FireSense, ECOSTRESS, Landsat, NOAA) • Captures 300K–1600K temperature scenes without saturation, improving real-time wildfire detection and tracking. • Per-pixel autonomous gain control enhances sensitivity for small fires and intense burn zones, aiding early warning and disaster response. • Ultra-low power consumption (<100mW at low flux, <400mW at high flux) enables deployment on satellites, UAVs, and high-altitude sensors for continuous fire and environmental monitoring. 2. Space-Based Climate & Environmental Sensing (Earth System Science Pathfinder, NOAA, DoD ISR) • Enhances thermal mapping for ocean temperatures, permafrost melt, and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting climate modeling and disaster prediction. • Superior signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enables precise detection of heat islands, land-use changes, and industrial thermal emissions. 3. Planetary Science & Space Exploration (Artemis, Venus & Io Missions) • Captures extreme planetary temperatures, enabling volcanic studies on Io, Venus, and the Moon. • Low-power, high-resolution IR sensing supports surface composition analysis and long-duration planetary missions. 4. Transition to NASA Missions & Commercialization SAAZ is securing Phase III funding from NASA and commercial partners to transition ALOHA into operational missions. Partnerships with prime contractors and the “New Space” industry will reduce costs and expand HDR imaging capabilities for NASA’s climate and planetary science efforts. The ALOHA (Adaptive Large-capacity Optical-infrared High-dynamic-range Array) technology offers unmatched 230dB dynamic range, low power consumption, and multispectral flexibility, making it ideal for defense, commercial, and industrial applications. By overcoming sensor saturation, noise, and power constraints, ALOHA enhances persistent surveillance, wildfire detection, industrial monitoring, and autonomous sensing. 1. Defense & National Security (DoD ISR, Missile Warning, UAS Platforms) • Supports missile warning, battlefield awareness, and hypersonic threat detection with high-dynamic-range IR imaging. • Low-power IR sensing enables UAV reconnaissance (MQ-9 Reaper, Blackjack) and satellite ISR for real-time target tracking. • Event-driven hot pixel detection enhances hostile fire indication and glint suppression for better situational awareness. 2. Wildfire & Disaster Response (NOAA, US Forest Service, Utilities, Insurance) • Detects early-stage wildfires with per-pixel adaptive gain control, preventing sensor saturation. • Real-time fire monitoring helps utilities, insurance, and emergency responders reduce infrastructure damage. • Deployable on UAVs and satellites for continuous wildfire tracking and disaster response. 3. Industrial & Commercial Sensing (Oil & Gas, Smart Cities, Environmental Monitoring) • Enables gas leak detection and flare monitoring, improving safety and emissions compliance. • Supports thermal imaging for powerline, pipeline, and factory monitoring, reducing maintenance costs. • Low-power HDR IR sensing improves autonomous systems (UAVs, smart cities, industrial robots) for object detection and navigation. 4. Market Adoption & Commercialization SAAZ is partnering with primes and commercial sectors to integrate ALOHA into defense, energy, and sensing systems. With high demand in DoD and remote sensing markets, ALOHA’s cost-effective, high-performance imaging is set to redefine HDR sensing across industries.

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.