Radiation Hardened Low Power Variable Bandwidth/Resolution Sigma Delta Converters

ABSTRACT: The objective of the proposed effort is the development of a radiation hardened, configurable Successive Approximation Register (SAR) Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) ASIC. The proposed technology surpasses current state of the art for the level of hardness and ADC performance (ENOB/Speed/etc.) and addresses the absence of high performance, space worthy ADCs. The ASIC will be designed to provide flexibility for variable sampling rate (100-1000 ksps), resolution (18-20 bits) and power requirements of current satellite control systems. Radiation hardening, to the most extreme, is addressed by our partners top-notch, validated simulation suite which enables design/layout iteration until the level of hardness is achieved. BENEFIT: The proposed technology surpasses current state of the art for the level of hardness and ADC performance (ENOB/Speed/power/etc.). Nu-Trek is adding user programmable configurability to the ADC in order to broaden its applicability to several applications and markets for space usage. High resolution and low speed addresses motor servo and mirror control systems; whereas, increased speed with less resolution addresses telemetry activities.