SBIR-STTR Award

The main objective of this Phase I project is to fully demonstrate the feasibility of developing Robust Isolation for Vibration Abating (RIVA), suitable for integration in an optical transceiver, to reject high frequency base disturbance by at least 50 dB. The proposed RIVA will have integrated launch locks and latching mechanism with a robust performance. Specifically, RIVA will be applicable to long-range optical telecommunications. RIVA will reduce angular errors from vibration on low mass, high performance, laser beam control assemblies. While this project is focused on space version of RIVA, eventually, our solution will have two additional variants designed for a particular operating condition and platform, i.e., Ground and Air. It will meet qualifications of extreme shock and vibration attenuation during non-operating period and mitigates high frequency vibrations during laser operations while minimizing its weight meet requirements. Our innovative solution offers low size, weight, and power (SWaP) with improved efficiency, reliability, and robustness as related to its function, high frequency isolation. RIVA will utilize ShockTech proprietary elastomeric formulas which have been space-qualified and deployed upon NASA spacecraft. In fact, these same elastomeric formulas were used to protect the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) instrument, used in the InSight mission under NASA’s Discovery program, from vibration and loads experienced during its travel from Earth to the Martian surface in 2018. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): Robust Isolation for Vibration Abating (RIVA) is designed to be suitable for all missions requiring high stability communication pointing and alignment. RIVA is an innovative solution for advancing free-space optical communications by pushing future data volume returns to and from space missions in multiple domains with return data rates >100 Gbps (Lunar to ground), >10 Gbps (Earth-Sun), >1 Gbps/AU2 (deep space), and >1 Gbps (planetary lander to orbiter). Ground-to-space forward data rates >25 Mbps to farthest Mars ranges are targeted. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): RIVA will be adopted for non-NASA optical communication satellites with the need for high-stability alignment will be necessary. RIVA’s flexible design makes it applicable to various communication satellite sizes. We will explore applications to production facilities for sensitive optical devices, sensitive medical devices, and airborne optical sensors onboard reconnaissance aircraft, and drones. Duration: 6

Robust Isolation for Vibration Abating (RIVA) is suitable for integration in an optical transceiver to reject high frequency base disturbances by at least 50 dB. RIVA has integrated launch protection for its shock & vibration isolation component. RIVA is directly applicable to long-range optical telecommunication systems, and it is beneficial for any sensitive instrument requiring high stability for improved performance. RIVA will reduce angular errors from vibrations reaching low mass laser beam control assemblies. While this project is focused on space version of RIVA, eventually, our solution will have two additional variants designed for a particular operating condition and platform, i.e., Ground and Air. It will meet qualifications of extreme shock and vibration attenuation during non-operating period and mitigates high frequency micro vibrations during laser operations while minimizing its weight to meet mission requirements. Our innovative solution offers low size, weight, and power (SWaP) with improved efficiency, reliability, and robustness as related to its function, high frequency isolation. RIVA will utilize our proprietary elastomeric formulas which have been space-qualified and deployed upon NASA spacecraft. The soft prototype showed a reduction of launch load acceleration to the optical device from a peak value of roughly 1500 Gs to below 7 Gs (99.5% reduction). In addition, the maximum stress induced in the soft elastomer (0.2 MPa) was well below the rupture point (ultimate tensile strength) for rubber (3-5 MPa). In other words, the soft elastomer is protected from launch loads due to the hard elastomer engaging during the launch event. Four RIVAs, supporting an optical platform, showed a reduction in angular vibration from 150 µradians to below 1.5 µradians (99% reduction or 40 dB reduction based on 20Log) over 100 Hz. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): RIVA is designed to be suitable for all missions requiring high stability communication pointing and alignment. RIVA is an innovative solution for advancing free-space optical communications by pushing future data volume returns to and from space missions in multiple domains with return data rates >100 Gbps (cislunar, i.e., Earth or lunar orbit to ground), >10 Gbps (Earth-Sun L1 and L2), >1 Gbps/AU2 (deep space), and >1 Gbps (planetary lander to orbiter and/or inter-spacecraft). Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): RIVA will be adopted for non-NASA optical communication satellites with the need for high-stability alignment will be necessary. RIVA’s flexible design makes it applicable to various communication satellite sizes. We will explore applications to production facilities for sensitive optical devices, sensitive medical devices, and airborne optical sensors onboard reconnaissance aircraft, and drones. Duration: 24