NASA STTR 2018-II Solicitation

Proposal Summary

PROPOSAL NUMBER:
 18-2- T8.02-7183
PHASE 1 CONTRACT NUMBER:
 80NSSC18P2149
SUBTOPIC TITLE:
 Photonic Integrated Circuits
PROPOSAL TITLE:
 Integrated Photonic Filters for RF Signal Processing
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC):
OEwaves, Inc.
465 North Halstead Street, Suite #140
Pasadena CA  91107 - 6016
Phone: (626) 351-4200
RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI):
Georgia Institute of Technology-School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
505 Tenth Street
GA  30332 - 0250
Phone: (404) 385-2738

Principal Investigator (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)

Name:
Dr. Anatoliy Savchenkov
E-mail:
anatoliy.savchenkov@oewaves.com
Address:
465 North Halstead Street, Suite #140 Pasadena, CA 91107 - 6016
Phone:
(626) 351-4200

Business Official (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)

Name:
Debra Coler
E-mail:
debra.coler@oewaves.com
Address:
465 North Halstead Street, Suite #140 Pasadena, CA 91107 - 6016
Phone:
(626) 351-4200
Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :
Begin: 3
End: 4
Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words)

In this Project, OEwaves Inc. and Georgia Tech propose to research and develop an RF photonic receiver front-end enabling microwave signal processing at a heterogeneously integrated photonic platform. In particular, we propose to develop a new technology for photonic microwave filters based on the new advances in silicon (Si)-based integrated photonics. In this endeavor, we will exploit the expertise of the team members who have made extensive contributions to Si and silicon nitride (SiN) integrated photonic structures (Georgia Tech) and the design and development of analog photonic systems (OEwaves Inc.).

OEwaves will apply a rapid development process using existing, proven, photonic elements to develop a wideband chip-scale tuner, with IF filtering capabilities. The extremely fast and compact tuning architecture provides a viable alternative to currently available high-cost channelized architectures.  The development approach is a front-end architecture based on the application of novel integrated optical filters characterized by ultra-high quality-factors (“Qs”) coupled with a capable back-end.  Photonic circuit elements based on the filters allow highly selective processing of the narrow-band, weak, and scattered RF and microwave signals.  The integrated optical resonators enable a versatile RF photonic tuner architecture by optimizing RF parameters such as selectivity, bandwidth coverage, tuning extent and speed relative to size, weight, and energy efficiency. The goal of the current project is to create an integrated filter prototype system at the end of Phase II.

 

 

Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)

Include new methods of passive and active microwave signal processing with significantly improved size, weight and power. The proposed PIC filter technology has very low optical insertion loss and high spurious free dynamic range that benefit analog and RF signal processing and signal transmission links. The integration of monolithic high-Q microresonator-based delay-lines can offer filters with multi-GHz RF passband, suitable for designing Ka, W, V band radar/receivers with unmatched performance metrics compared to RF electronic alternatives.

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)

Include radar systems, ship-based multi-functional phased arrays, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for unmanned aerial vehicles; onboard guidance systems for interceptor missiles; high-bandwidth terrestrial and space communications systems; Electronic Warfare (EW), Electronic Counter-Counter Measure (ECCM) and Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) systems; radar test equipment.

Duration: 24
Form Generated on 11/19/2019 09:04:35