The low-power radiation hardened 20GSps 6-bit ADC with a novel calibration technique capable of suppressing the peak energy of the spurs has great potential in current and future NASA microwave radiometers. In addition to its primary application, the proposed ADC ASIC is directly applicable to systems that require direct digitization of wide bandwidth RF signals, such as deep space communication radios and reconfigurable radios for SDR applications. NASA missions using Ku band, such as OIB (airborne program for precise sea and ice elevation monitoring) will also benefit from the proposed high-speed ADC optimized to be used for direct digitizing purposes.
In addition to its primary application in spectral radiometry systems, the proposed wideband 20GS/s ADC and its building blocks will be targeting other commercial and military related markets which require high speed capture and digitization of wideband signals. Commercial applications include wireless (WiMAX, 3G, 4G) and fiber optic communication (10G Ethernet). The projected ramp-up of 100G Ethernet technologies will raise the industry demand for capable test equipment. High sampling rate provides the flexibility needed for such equipment. Therefore, it has great commercialization potential in this market segment. Potential military applications include high speed, secure communication and data transmission systems, and millimeter-resolution radars. Radiation hardness will secure a great demand for the proposed ADC in high energy and nuclear physics instruments, commercial communication and military satellites and nuclear power facilities.
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