Electrically-Small Superconducting Wide-Bandwidth Receiver

ABSTRACT: In this STTR phase II, HYPRES and University of California San Diego team will demonstrate a small size, weight and power, wideband (2 MHz to 2 GHz) receiver prototype based on SQUID array technology. Our SQUID array designs are based on highly linear bi-SQUID and SQUID cells arranged into a 2-dimensional (2D) array. The 2D arrays are fabricated using high-temperature superconductor Ion Damaged Josephson junction fabrication process suitable for integration of large number of SQUID devices on a single chip. This affords the use of small size robust 70 K cryocoolers and will make overall system suitable for airborne deployment. The wideband receiver prototype comprises a SQUID 2D array chip, a cold low noise amplifier, pre-amplifier to provide signal for modems. The entire system fits into a 11 x 5 x 4 cubic inch cryogenic package with an rf-transparent radome. It draws less than 45 W power. BENEFIT: The SQUID array technology will be leveraged into several application areas: compact and energy-efficient, extremely low noise receivers for satellite and deep space communications, low noise, high sensitivity biomedical imaging systems, secure point-to-point microwave links, biomagnetic sensors, and geomagnetic prospecting, receivers for direction finding and geolocation systems for wide frequency ranges. The small footprint, low noise, high sensitivity, high linearity, high directivity and angular accuracy, wide bandwidth SQUID array systems can be installed on moving platforms as it allows maintaining practical pointing alignment of directional antennas while vehicles and aircraft platforms are in motion. It will fit into platform space limitations to allow the installation of the multiple systems enabling low profiles to maintain a small visual and radar target silhouette; fitting into limited electronics rack space; energy-efficient to meet power production limitations on a moving vehicle (motor driven generators).