...NASA/JPL Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project for Low-Cost Beamforming SiGe MMIC Receivers at 35.6 GHz and 94 GHz. Linear Signal’s highly-integrated beamformer chips and the high frequency packaging contributed by NxGEN Electronics are aimed at helping NASA with ongoing mission plans for critical Earth observing (EO) and planetary experiments and data collection that support earth climate change monitoring.
The goal of this project will be unprecedented size and cost reductions for phased array antennas at these frequencies. The current state-of-the-art, for receiver or T/R module designs is not capable of achieving the size and cost targets for compact array applications. To reach these goals, multiple array elements and supporting electronics must be combined into one integrated electronics package. The project will draw on NxGEN Electronics' high density/high frequency packaging and interconnect experience and Linear Signal's RFIC product baseline designs and their experience with low-cost commercial satellite communications terminals.
Linear Signal’s Phase I work will involve the design, layout, and simulation of phase shifters, variable gain amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, combiners, and digital beamformer control logic blocks and layout multiple channels for commercial-ready fabrication. Many of NASA/JPL missions have in common the need for phased array radars optimized for specific frequencies, small size, low cost, and high functionality. The performance goals set for Phase II will include consideration of additional applications and opportunities beyond NASA/JPL missions as well as actual chip fabrication, test and iteration as needed.