Reconfigurable Miniature Transponder for Multimode L, S, X band Space Communication, Phase I

Long Range Space RF Telecommunications seeks solutions for long range missions using modular deep space transponders with smaller size and lower power components. While reconfigurable signal processing is typically performed in FPGA's, RF hardware is not nearly as agile, but if it were (small high Q filters, broadband actives) power savings and compact flexible RF radio architectures would be possible. As applied to an identified existing S and X band TTC transponder, the innovation described herein applies to EW and broadband RF channelizers, and commercial Software Defined Radios. The proposed innovation seeks to demonstrate that a universal, reusable and digitally programmable RFIC combining avionics proven MEM's and SiGe BiCMOS (130~180 nm) technology is that solution. The effort will demonstrate the sufficiency of a RF CMOS switch for the application described. On chip RF primitive circuits are combinatorial configured along with on or off chip ruggedized piezo film MEM's filters/resonators, providing a practical and reliable RF macro block configurable for receive or transmit modes from <100 MHz to >8 GHz. Primitive RF building blocks are electronically reconnected on chip to enable such RF macro functions as RF up/downconverter, IQ mod/demodulator, and image reject mixer; digital I/O and bias circuitry is included. More »