Chronos technology, proposes to deliver a comprehensive, and conceptually validated feasibility study (in phase i) for a novel compact, rugged, stable, low power, radiation hardened +500 degrees c…

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase I contract to Frequency Management International, Inc. (FMI) to conduct a feasibility study for a novel compact, rugged, stable, low-power, radiation-hardened +500 degrees Celsius Radio Frequency (RF) modulator (HTMX). The HTMX is intended for use as a subsection of a transmitter in extreme high-temperature and radiation-hardened space applications, such as in-situ atmospheric and surface explorations on the Venusian surface. The $124,962.00 firm-fixed-price contract has a completion date of December 8, 2017, and is a Phase I SBIR action, which focuses on the conceptual validation and design roadmap for the HTMX implementation and fabrication in a potential Phase II effort.

Chronos technology, proposes to deliver a comprehensive, and conceptually validated feasibility study (in phase i) for a novel compact, rugged, stable, low power, radiation hardened +500 degrees c radio frequency modulator (htmx). The modulator would be a subsection of a transmitter used in extreme high temperature and RAD-hard space applications such as in-situ atmospheric and surface explorations in the high-temperature high-pressure environment at the venusian surface (485C, 95 atmospheres). Our intent is to complete the phase 1 study and deliver a design roadmap to the implementation and fabrication of the design in phase 2. The proposed modulator feasibility study would also address the packaging aspect of the htmx, its miniaturization and manufacturing processes and guidelines to facilitate reliable and repeatable device fabrication and its full adaptation to mission deployment. Our proposed solution offers compelling features such as a rugged package that would withstand atmospheric pressure in excess of 95 bar ambient pressure at +500 degrees c. The design and analysis of the htmx configuration would include frequency scalable output, and commercially available compact package footprints. Since any hot planet lander system requires reliable communication, the frequency tolerance for htmx will be optimized to enable reliable transmission fidelity for the venusians in-situ surface exploration. The underlying objective in evaluating the different modulation schemes is to keep the approach simple. Keeping IT simple will positively impact the reliability and the eventual TRL of the proposed solution. Considering the harsh operating environment and the limited operating life for the system, we focus on a simple and reliable frequency modulation scheme. Our approach will also enable very efficient adaptation of the design to ask (amplitude shift key) modulation as well.htmx in itself would include other side benefit of a reliable and stable RAD-hard clock source.