SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Access to the W-band portion of the spectrum has been impeded by the atmospheric attenuation that drives RF power requirements, poor efficiency of semiconductor component technology at W-band that increases dc power needs and thermal loads, low survivability of semiconductor devices in the face of high-power threats, and limited dynamic range of the overall downconverter chain. Further, full utilization of the high fractional bandwidth (e.g. 5 GHz for ~6% BW @W-band for 81-86GHz band) that is possible has not been realized broadly. In part, this is due to the difficulty in providing a complete block downconversion solution that preserves the bandwidth and dynamic range in the face of interfering signals and couples effectively to the analog to digital conversion solution. PseudolithIC addresses these challenges and delivers a technology that will underpin a dramatic leap in capability for W-band SATCOM access by utilization of a proprietary integration technology that realizes an end-to-end solution that combines best of breed semiconductor device technology, with practical, proven circuit architecture in a thermally robust, compact and affordable chip scale module. Based on Metal Embedded Chip Assembly (MECA) technology originally developed at HRL Laboratories, PseudolithIC offers a unique capability to explore the design trade space for receiver chain and realize an integrated solution. PseudolithIC plans to explore a set of design trades for the W-band receiver that are only possible in a heterogeneous integrated solution, for example potential combining Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Indium Phosphide (InP) components at the transistor level. The design trades track to the elements of a complete W-band receiver solution. Additionally, PseudolithIC proposes to do some initial hardware prototyping to reduce risk associated with the maturing MECA integration technology. This type of prototyping is only possible under the limited phase 1 funding due to the dramatic reduction in non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs associated with the MECA process. From these initial design trades and process demonstrators, PseudolithIC will deliver an initial design for a W-band receiver that outperforms current solutions and provides a rapid upgrade process for future design iterations.
