AN ULTRA-FAST SAMPLING ADC ASIC INTERFACING WITH FPGAS

Pacific Microchip Corp. proposes to develop an ultra-fast (56GHz) 8-bit ADC ASIC with an enhanced data rate JESD204B interface, designed for efficient and convenient data transfer to FPGAs. This ADC ASIC is primarily intended for spectrometer applications, particularly those requiring the use of FPGAs for digital signal processing instead of ASICs. Such applications include specialized signal processing functions needed in instruments used for microwave remote sensing of Earth from space, or in scenarios where hardware-based evaluation is necessary before transitioning spectrometer solutions to ASICs. The proposed ADC ASIC builds upon a previously developed and silicon-proven 8-bit 56 GS/s ADC IP block, developed under a DARPA award (D17PC00116). This ASIC will incorporate an enhanced rate JESD204B standard-compliant output data interface for bandwidth-efficient data transmission over 20 lanes of 28 Gb/s, ensuring seamless data interfacing with off-the-shelf FPGAs. The ASIC will also include a CPU running new ADC calibration algorithms to achieve a 6-bit Effective Number of Bits (ENOB) and 28 GHz bandwidth. In Phase I, we demonstrated the feasibility of the ADC ASIC achieving a 28 GHz bandwidth, 8-bit resolution, and 6-bit ENOB value at a 56 GS/s sampling rate. Phase II will result in the production of a deployable ASIC for NASA instrumentation.

NASA applications include microwave spectrometers and radiometers used for passive microwave remote sensing of Earth from space, providing essential data on soil moisture, sea surface temperature and salinity, wind speed, atmospheric temperature and humidity, precipitation and pollutants. Planetary exploration missions rely on spectrometers to detect habitability signatures on planets and moons. Other applications include space-based radio and optical communication systems, as well as radio telescopes for radio astronomy. Commercial applications include direct digitization of RF signals in software-defined radios, high-speed laboratory equipment, free-space and fiber optic communication, and cellular networks. Other applications include spectrometers in remote sensing instruments employed by the EPA, NOAA, EUMETSAT, and commercial companies to analyze temperature, water vapor, air pollutants, and ozone layers.

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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