SiC Electronics To Enable Long-Lived Chemical Sensor Measurements at the Venus Surface

This project will develop silicon carbide (SiC) based electronics capable of operation at 500 degrees Celsius to support previously demonstrated high temperature chemical sensors for use in harsh environments such as Venus surface and Gas Giants. The Venus Chemical Microsensor Array (VCMA), which has been separately developed and demonstrated under a NASA Phase II SBIR, consists of highly selective, solid state chemical microsensors (CO, NO, OCS, SOx, O2, H2O, HF, and HCl) that can operate at and above 500 degrees Celsius, but relies on silicon-based support electronics limited to 125 degrees Celsius operation. The development of SiC electronics is the key to enable uncooled long duration operation at the surface of Venus. We will design and fabricate Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICS) using NASA demonstrated SiC technology to enable long lived (100s of days) chemical sensor measurements on Venus' surface. This project will focus on the development of core SiC electronics for amplification, analog control feedback, and analog to digital data conversion required for sensor operation. Development will be based on previously demonstrated SiC components that have not yet been combined into the high level integrated circuits needed to support many types of instruments, including VCMA. Maturation of high temperature electronics reduces risk to future instrument development, supporting overall mission objectives and providing science relevant to Decadal and Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) goals. Makel Engineering, Inc. (MEI) working along with CO-PI's from NASA GRC and NASA JPL will use the NASA GRC Microfabrication facilities for development of the SiC electronics. MEI will provide the expertise on specific circuit designs and ASIC architecture for the microsensors. NASA GRC will provide expertise on circuit implementation in SiC and device fabrication using the NASA GRC Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory. Demonstration and validation of the electronics will be conducted by MEI an JPL by incorporating the SiC electronics with the VCMA into a sensing package for use in JPL's ongoing terrestrial volcanic test program which serves as a hot planetary testbed. The Decadal Survey identifies the Venus In-situ Explorer Mission (VISE) for New Frontiers to, in part, "Understand the properties of Venus's atmosphere down to the surface." Near/on-surface exploration requires high temperature systems and "High-temperature survivability technologies such as…electronics…will enable long-term in situ missions". The Venus Exploration Working Group Technology Plan similarly emphasizes that "Development of high-temperature electronics, sensors… designed for operating in the Venus ambient would be enabling for future missions". However, the technology for such New Frontier exploration is limited and maturation for future missions is needed. This proposal directly addresses VISE's needs for technology operational for extended periods at the surface of Venus. The development of the SiC electronics and the demonstration of the electronics integrated with existing harsh environmental chemical sensors in terrestrial surrogate environments will bring the technology to a high maturity level. More »