Proposal Number:          21-1- S1.02-2242

          

          

   

Subtopic Title:
      Technologies for Active Microwave Remote Sensing

          

          

   

Proposal Title:
      Dual-channel Multi-Nyquist Zone DAC with Digital Up-conversion

          

          

   

Firm:

          

Pacific Microchip Corporation

          

   

Address:

          

3916 Sepulveda Boulevard, #108, Culver City, CA 90230

          

   

Phone:

          

(310) 683-2628                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Mr. Siarhei Hrynko

          

   

E-mail:

          

sergey@pacificmicrochip.com

          

   

Address:

          

3916 Sepulveda Boulevard, #108, CA 90230 - 4650

          

   

Phone:

          

(310) 683-2628                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Ieva Ivanauskas

          

   

E-mail:

          

ieva@pacificmicrochip.com

          

   

Address:

          

3916 Sepulveda Boulevard, #108, CA 90230 - 4650

          

   

Phone:

          

(310) 683-2628                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 2
End: 3

          

          

     

Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words):

Pacific Microchip Corp. proposes to develop a rad-hard dual-channel 8-bit DAC ASIC sampling at up to 30GS/s and able to operate in several Nyquist zones. The ASIC is targeted for synthesis of the transmitter waveform in radar instruments used for planetary remote sensing applications. Instead of directly synthesizing entire signal bandwidth, a digital up-conversion technique and interpolation with a configurable factor will be used in the DAC. This approach will allow us to translate the signal with narrow bandwidth to any RF frequency within 3 adjacent Nyquist zones of the DAC. The presence of two DACs on the ASIC will make possible to synthesize two waveforms with a small phase error. Seeking to maximize the performance, the DAC will employ calibration using a built-in CPU and finite-state machines. For convenient interfacing with FPGAs at up to 8x8.75Gb/s (4 lanes per DAC), the ASIC will include a JESD204B standard compliant interface.

Phase I work will provide the proof of DAC feasibility – critical blocks will be implemented and verified at the targeted technology node. In Phase II, a silicon proven prototype ASIC will be provided.

          

          

     

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

 

• Radar instruments in planetary remote sensing systems
• Global precipitation measurement mission
• Global atmospheric composition mission
• Ku- and X-band radars on the SCLP mission
• Ka- and Ku-band radars on the SWOT mission

          

          

     

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

• Future communication systems
• Synthetic aperture radars in active sensors
• Arbitrary waveform generators
• Transmitters for SDRs and 5G communication systems
• Communications test equipment

          

          

     

Duration:     6