SBIR-STTR Award

Two-Color Radiation Hardened Gamma-Ray Noise Suppressing FPA Design Program
Award last edited on: 4/1/2008

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : MDA
Total Award Amount
$849,819
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
MDA05-026
Principal Investigator
Jonathan Fisher

Company Information

GH Systems Inc

655 Discovery Drive Suite 302
Huntsville, AL 35806
   (256) 428-0050
   N/A
   www.gh-systems.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 05
County: Madison

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2006
Phase I Amount
$99,819
Radiation Hardened multi-color infrared (IR) focal planes are required for the US Navy Aegis Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) interceptor system. The key to meeting the system requirements for the SM-3 and other missile interceptor systems is the development of multi-color radiation hardened two-color long wave (LW) focal plane arrays (FPAs) with very high pixel operability. One of the shortfalls in current two-color IR FPA technology is the relative immaturity, in terms of transient gamma-ray/beta flux suppression capability, of the readout integrated circuits (ROICs) used. Several FPA manufacturers have demonstrated transient gamma-ray (or gamma) noise reduction in single color ROICs, but none of these FPA sources have addressed gamma noise suppression in multi-color ROICs. Innovative approaches are required to extend existing single-color mitigation techniques and develop new radiation noise mitigation technologies for two-color FPAs. The objective of this proposed Phase I effort is to design a radiation hardened ROIC which will be used in the development and production of an SM-3 two-color IR FPA. The proposed IR FPA will be hardened to radiation induced transient noise, have a high frame rate, simultaneously readout in two colors, and have an SM-3 compatible mechanical and electrical footprint.

Keywords:
Infrared, Gamma-Ray, Radiation, Hardened, Fpa, Noise, Suppression, Roic

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2007
Phase II Amount
$750,000
Radiation hardened multi-color infrared (IR) focal plane arrays are required for MDA interceptor and surveillance sensors, for example, the MDA MKV KV and CV and the US Navy Aegis Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) interceptor system. The key to meeting the system requirements for the MKV, SM-3, and other missile interceptor systems is the development of multi-color radiation hardened two-color long wave (LW) focal plane arrays (FPAs) with very high pixel operability. Several FPA manufacturers have demonstrated transient gamma noise reduction in single color Read-Out Integrated Circuits (ROICs) and the DRS two-color IR FPA was characterized to show limited noise suppression using their standard unit cell/readout integrated circuit but no vendors have produced FPAs with intentional gamma noise suppression circuitry in multi-color ROICs. The objective of this proposed Phase II effort is to design a radiation hardened ROIC including gamma-ray noise suppression, develop, fabricate and test prototype test circuits to prove the concept, layout the unit cell design, and continue with the development of the FPA/ROIC design which will be used in the development and production of an MKV/SM-3 or other two-color IR FPAs.

Keywords:
Infrared, Gamma-Ray, Haens Std, Radiation, Hardened, Fpa, Noise, Suppression, Roic