NASA SBIR 2011 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Nanohmics, Inc.
6201 East Oltorf Street, Suite 400
Austin, TX 78741 - 7509
(512) 389-9990

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Ricardo Ramirez
rramirez@nanohmics.com
6201 East Oltorf Street, Suite 400
Austin, TX 78741 - 7509
(512) 389-9990

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) at beginning and end of contract:
Begin: 1
End: 4

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words)
Nanohmics proposes the integration of two major paradigms to optimize and improve current EVA communication systems. To address the implementation of tunable front-end transceivers, nanoimprint methodologies will be used to create nanoscale dimensions sub-systems designed to fit flexible printed circuits requirements. The second paradigm will bring software-defined radio (SDR) mesh networks methodologies as part of an embedded platform based on rad-hard reconfigurable devices (e.g. FPGA) with encryption capabilities.

POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)
SDR radios based on NEMS technology will enable NASA to be a relevant player in the communications arena since weight, mass and power reduction are direct results of the proposed system.

A list of possible applications where the proposed system can be applied is shown as follows

1. Frequency agile radio
2. Cognitive radio systems (networks)
3. Remote Space Instrumentation
4. Communication links for Extra Vehicular activities
5. Compatibility with a wide range of equipment (including outdated radio systems)
6. Ad-Hoc Networks for remote sensing and peer-to-peer communication
7. Network integration and dynamic spectrum allocation
8. Innovative circuit design for nanoscale technologies
9. Reduction of overall energy budget
10.Dynamic systems for telemetry

POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)
NEMS-based Software-Defined Radio systems will have the ability to enable/accelerate a wide variety of applications. Major applications of the system include:

- 4G cell phones
- Ultra-low power RF front ends
- Cognitive radio mesh networks
- Wireless Sensor Networks
- Medical devices
- Industrial mesh networking
- Digital TV
- Wide Band data transmission
- Automotive portable radios set as media center including wireless phone connectivity

TECHNOLOGY TAXONOMY MAPPING (NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.)

Ad-Hoc Networks (see also Sensors) Architecture/Framework/Protocols Circuits (including ICs; for specific applications, see e.g., Communications, Networking & Signal Transport; Control & Monitoring, Sensors) Manufacturing Methods Network Integration Robotics (see also Control & Monitoring; Sensors) Routers, Switches Sensor Nodes & Webs (see also Communications, Networking & Signal Transport) Spacecraft Instrumentation & Astrionics (see also Communications; Control & Monitoring; Information Systems) Telemetry/Tracking (Cooperative/Noncooperative; see also Planetary Navigation, Tracking, & Telemetry) Teleoperation Tools/EVA Tools Transmitters/Receivers