High Performance Electron Beam ADC

ABSTRACT: Astronix Research Corp. proposes to investigate a revolutionary"electron-beam"analog-to-digital converter (ADC) based on a micro-cathode ray digitizer concept using micron scale, high performance electron guns built with a novel MEMS process concept in silicon. Based on previous work under NRO DII funding we propose to demonstrate feasibility of 1.5 GSPS ADC with 16 bits dynamic ENOB, and dimensions under 5mm x 5mm x 20mm. A mature device could consume only 200mW of power. The Phase 1 objectives are to prove the feasibility by building on the NRO work for a 100GSPS/10bit ADC, and defining the mechanical and electrical parameters of a 16-bit architecture, proving the operation using electrodynamic simulations, and investigating processing requirements for a Phase 2 effort. The device provides performance that exceeds the physics-based limits of any current or forecast semiconductor technology by at least 10 times, and can be manufactured en masse in a multi-wafer assembly, using low cost"trailing-edge"manufacturing infrastructure readily available at most university MEMS fabs. The device possesses intrinsic radiation immunity greater than any traditional semiconductor device, and can operate outside the military temperature range of -55C to 125C, making it well suited for highly demanding terrestrial and orbital applications. BENEFIT: A high performance, small form-factor and low power ADC has wide application for radar, beamforming antennas and communications in airborne and space systems of greater spectral diversity and higher sensitivity. A 1.5GSPS / 16 bits ENOB ADC is over 10 times the performance of any existing semiconductor ADC and the same technology can be used to make devices up to 100GSPS / 10bits ENOB, as well as performance points in between. This kind of performance leap will dramatically alter the capabilities of virtually every military system. The MEMS process for making dense arrays of micro-particle guns in small, low-cost, mass produced devices is a fundamental breakthrough that has the potential to revolutionize fields as diverse as ultra-high speed data acquisition, RF communications, semiconductor processing, spacecraft propulsion, sonar, directed energy weapons and miniaturized mass spectrometry. The immediate impact will be greatest in radar, SIGINT, electronic warfare and communications, particularly highly arrayed digital beamforming antennas, where the devices enable higher performance ADCs, DACs, RF amplifiers and time delay elements with instantaneous bandwidth exceeding 100GHz. Amplifier arrays will offer higher transmit power and the capability of hundreds to thousands of independently steerable beams exhibiting high"depth-of-nulling"to achieve jam-resistance.