Integrated MMIC for Phase-Locked Oscillators and Frequency Synthesizers, Phase I

Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuits (MMIC) provide the technology base for miniaturization of microwave payloads in spacecraft. While MMIC chips are widely available for amplifiers, switches, converters, etc., there is only a limited supplier base for MMIC signal sources. Hittite has recognized the need and introduced a family of MMICs for phase-locking loops and phase-locked oscillators. Hittite's MMICs include; VCOs, frequency multipliers and dividers, programmable counters, phase-frequency detectors, and loop amplifiers. This proposal describes and approach of integrating many of those MMIC parts into a single chip for frequency synthesis without VCOs. This choice of the scale of integration will support the design architecture for frequency synthesizers with versatility of a wide range of operating frequencies. The selected design goals will allow signal generation from 100 MHz to 12 GHz. The phase noise floor of the synthesizer is expected to be -150 dBC/Hz at 100 MHz offset. Design approaches for all component parts of the proposed MMIC are presented.

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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