SBIR/STTR
A SiC-based Microcontroller for High-Temperature In-Situ Instruments and Systems, Phase I
Project Introduction
NASA has a need for electronics that can support proposed flagship missions such as a Venus surface lander. Devices that can operate at temperatures of up to 500°C are desired. Ozark IC and its partner, the University of Arkansas, have created the world's largest known library of CMOS silicon-carbide (SiC) analog and mixed-signal circuits, intellectual property (IP) and packages that can operate at very high temperatures. The key next component is a general-purpose SiC microcontroller to provide real-time programmability for these SiC support circuits. This Phase I proposal will use the extensive Ozark IC SiC library to develop a self-contained general-purpose SiC-CMOS microcontroller. When combined with data converters, gate drivers and other analog/mixed-signal circuitry, this microcontroller could serve in any number of high-temperature sample acquirement and analysis instruments.
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Anticipated Benefits
Potential NASA Commercial Applications: NASA has demonstrated a resolve for a flagship mission in the coming years to revisit Venus, and land instruments on the surface. Venus has a corrosive, high-pressure (~100 bar), high-temperature (up to 500°C) environment. NASA experts have stated that the single greatest challenge to providing devices operable at the Venusian surface is the availability of high-temperature digital, analog and mixed-signal electronics. The SiC integrated circuit technology that Ozark IC is actively commercializing could easily meet NASA targets of 5-10 hours at 500°C with proper packaging. By demonstrating the feasibility of a SiC microcontroller, this proposal represents a major step in creating a general-purpose SiC-based chipset that will support a majority of functions required by a Venus lander
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Glenn Research Center
(GRC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Ozark Integrated Circuits, Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Glenn Research Center (GRC)
Responsible Program:
- SBIR/STTR
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Principal Investigator:
Project Duration
Start: Jun 2015
End: Dec 2015
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 2 |
| Current: | 4 |
| Estimated End: | 4 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX08 Sensors and Instruments
- TX08.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors
- TX08.3.6 Extreme Environments Related to Critical System Health Management
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