FFT-based Beamformer ASIC

NASA’s next-generation spectrometers and radiometers will utilize phased-array receivers, replacing traditional scanned-antenna RF frontends. This transition will significantly reduce size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) for these instruments. Pacific Microchip Corp. (PMCC) proposes developing an 8-channel FFT-based beamformer ASIC with 32 frequency channels across a 1 GHz bandwidth, supporting 128 angular directions. The ASIC will accommodate a phased array of up to 8 antenna receivers, digitizing down-converted signals with 8-bit precision at 2GS/s. These digitized signals will be converted to the frequency domain utilizing polyphase filter banks (PFBs), followed by a second-stage FFT blocks to perform beamforming. Compared to the time-domain, the frequency-domain beamforming offers significantly greater efficiency, and the ability to observe all frequencies from all directions instantaneously. The project’s Phase I will define the project in detail and demonstrate its feasibility through extensive simulations of the proposed beamformer features and transistor-level solutions. The project’s Phase II will produce an ASIC prototype, and an evaluation PCB which can be used for developing phased-array radiometer and spectrometer instruments.

The proposed beamformer ASIC offers a significant simplification of NASA’s mechanically scanned spectrometer instruments. By transitioning from a scanned antenna to a phased array, it can substantially reduce size, complexity, power consumption and cost (SWaP-C) while enhancing the reliability of radiometer and spectrometer instruments. This technology presents an ideal solution for next-generation passive Earth and planetary science remote sensing missions. Examples of future missions requiring beamforming technology include NISAR – the NASA remote sensing mission projected to be launched in April 2025. Other missions called out by NASA’s Earth Science Decadal Survey include the Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) and the eventual follow‐on to NISAR under Surface Deformation and Change (SDC). The proposed ASIC will be applicable in transitioning from a scanned antenna to a phased array in commercial and military related spectrometer and radiometer systems that require low SWaP-C, reliability and radiation tolerance. The proposed solution will also benefit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for adapting phased arrays in their systems for high precision remote sensing of temperature, water vapor, pollutant and ozone layers. The proposed beamformer ASIC is expected to find applications in spectrometer instruments developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). For example, the CSA’s planned High-Altitude Aerosols, Water Vapor and Clouds (HAWC) mission will require advanced beamforming electronics making the proposed ASIC a strong candidate for integration.

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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