Rad-hard Reconfigurable Bi-Directional Level Shifters Technology for Micro- and Nanosatellites, Phase I

Various technologies available to space system designers that operate at different voltage levels. It is, however, important to interface, maintain, and update these systems. For example, the Sun Earth Connection (SEC) missions are likely to have a variety of experiments needing to be accomplished with a single nanosatellite. A rad-hard reconfigurable bi-directional level shifters would allow them to accomplish this goal despite the various multi-voltage level systems employed within the satellite. Additionally, a level shifter could be used to extend and/or expand the life of existing space systems. Presently and in the future, nanosatellites and other spacecraft have need for rad-hard reconfigurable bi-directional level shifters to enable there existing systems the ability to communicate logic signals to other lower voltage level systems. This proposal is to develop such a level shifter. This will allow these systems to continue to conduct operations and missions for the existing and a growing number of future users. Space system applications for SEC missions have mass, power, cost, and rad-hard limitations on all of their circuits. A rad-hard reconfigurable bi-directional level shifter design would provide for these needs between multilevel voltage technologies to aid in their missions. More »