SBIR-STTR Award

High-Efficiency S-Band SSPA for Next Generation NASA Remote Sensing SAR/InSAR Platforms
Award last edited on: 1/23/2023

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NASA : JPL
Total Award Amount
$924,981
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
S1.02
Principal Investigator
Nick Chopra

Company Information

Recon RF Inc

10211 Pacific Mesa Boulevard Suite 408
San Diego, CA 92121
   (619) 732-6621
   N/A
   www.reconrf.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 52
County: San Diego

Phase I

Contract Number: 80NSSC21C0077
Start Date: 5/20/2021    Completed: 11/19/2021
Phase I year
2021
Phase I Amount
$124,992
This proposal will significantly advance Power Added Efficiency (PAE) beyond present-day state-of-the-art SSPAs operating at S-Band in the over 1kW peak output power regime, achieving a TRL 3-4 S-band/ 3.2 GHz solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) module. The greatly enhanced PAE will result in an SSPA with a compact form factor suitable for CubeSat/SmallSat or other NASA remote sensing platforms. The project aims to achieve over 1kW of output power, 50dB of Gain, PAE of no less than 60% and possibly greater than 75% through Recon-RF’s advanced power amplifier design techniques based on next-generation waveform design capabilities and practices. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): The proposed S-Band SSPA module capable of PAE >60% will enhance NASA’s remote sensing for SWaP-C conscious applications such as: • SAR/InSAR Payloads for studying surface topology on Earth and on other planets • Follow-on Missions to NISAR’s InSAR S-Band Geo-Physical Remote Sensing Payload • VenSAR S-Band SAR payload for Geo-Physical Remote Sensing of Venus Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): Non-NASA commercial and DOD applications stand to benefit from Recon-RF’s advancements in S-Band SSPA technology, such as: • Airport Surveillance Radar • Surface Ship Radar • S-Band Satellite Communications • S-Band Weather Radar • Rural Broadband Back-Hauls • Commercial InSAR/SAR for remote sensing of vegetation and geo-physical phenomena Duration: 6

Phase II

Contract Number: 80NSSC22CA120
Start Date: 8/1/2022    Completed: 7/31/2024
Phase II year
2022
Phase II Amount
$799,989
This proposal will significantly advance Power Added Efficiency (PAE) beyond present-day state-of-the-art SSPAs operating at S-Band in the over 1kW peak output power regime, achieving a TRL >=4 S-band/ 3.2 GHz solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) module. The greatly enhanced PAE will result in an SSPA with a compact form factor suitable for CubeSat/SmallSat or other NASA remote sensing platforms. The project aims to achieve over 1kW of output power, 50dB of Gain, PAE of no less than 60% and possibly greater than 75% through Recon-RF’s advanced power amplifier design techniques based on next-generation waveform design capabilities and practices. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): The proposed S-Band SSPA module capable of PAE >60% will enhance NASA’s remote sensing for SWaP-C conscious applications such as: • SAR/InSAR Payloads for studying surface topology on Earth and on other planets • Follow-on Missions to NISAR’s InSAR S-Band Geo-Physical Remote Sensing Payload • VenSAR S-Band SAR payload for Geo-Physical Remote Sensing of Venus Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): Non-NASA commercial and DOD applications stand to benefit from Recon-RF’s advancements in S-Band SSPA technology, such as: • Surface Ship Radar • S-Band Satellite Communications • S-Band Weather Radar • Rural Broadband Back-Hauls • Commercial InSAR/SAR for remote sensing of vegetation and geo-physical phenomena Duration: 20