Ultra Low Power Electronics for Autonomous Micro-Sensor Applications

The objective of the proposed work is to provide a Micro-Sensor network that would enable a smart sensing environment capable of supporting multiple missions with wide ranging applications for communication, radar, and electronic warfare (EW). Based on ultra-short micro-burst transmission and by sharing the radio communication transmit pulse energy with the sensors, extremely low-power operation is expected. A future scenario is to provide wireless sensor network that could gather information (video, voice, radar signal) including node-to-node communication and transfer the data to a base station for processing. To realize smart Micro-Sensors data communications present several unique challenges not currently addressed by off-the-shelf solutions. Sperient is developing a technology that may solve these unique challenges, called “Gigaband.” Gigaband technology is an extremely low-power radio solution with built-in LPD/LPI characteristics and high data-rate capability. Extremely short pulses (< 100 ps) are utilized to save energy while simultaneously hiding the signal from detection. There are several ongoing efforts that parallel this proposed effort that could directly contribute to increased success and could provide leverage. For example, a microchip Phase II development effort is currently ongoing that could help lead to a single-chip solution to Micro-Sensor wireless data transmission, saving size/weight/power on a final product solution. We envision a Micro-Sensor no larger than 2mm x 2mm that meets all requirements. Sperient has developed a novel Micro-Sensor technology with a minimum of 10X improvement in power consumption and extended the operational lifetime by 5X. However, novel device technology, new system architecture, and circuit design methodology will need to be explored to minimize receiver susceptibility to interference. Other technical challenges to explore are a stable / low power reference circuit for the system, high efficiency antenna including energy harvesting capability, and high system integration. The development of new sensors shall optimize on cost, size, weight, and power (CSWAP) to provide real time information collection for the war fighter. BENEFIT: Our approach is unique and based on our proprietary technology for generating and receiving Micro-Pulses. Wireless communications and data would allow for more maneuverability that translates into enhanced survivability, as well as lighter weight payload and lower failure rates due to the absence of cabling. Sperient’s Micro-Sensor technology will enable a smart sensing environment capable of supporting multiple missions with wide ranging applications for communication, radar, and electronic warfare (EW). We believe that further development of our approach will provide the following innovations: • Fully USB II compliant (480 Mbps) - More bandwidth than needed for future use (intra-squad, etc.) and for design flexibility. - Reduces interface cost/complexity/power. - Fully FCC compliant easing Joint Spectrum Center (JSC) approval process. - Fully compatible with standard encryption techniques (meeting LPI requirements). - Operating Range: 1 Km, (extendable) • Our radiated waveforms are noise-like and are very difficult to detect. Short-pulse technology spreads the energy over 7 GHz virtually eliminating detection. Our low signature, LPD Micro-Pulse transmit signal is an innovation for handling intra soldier data and imagery. • Our technology is less susceptible to multipath effects due to its inherent modulation properties. Multipath immune modulation eliminates dropouts from the free-space destructive interference that plagues conventional wireless radios • Our technique is extremely low power due to the very short-pulse transmit duration of Micro-Pulse waveforms for low energy-per-bit, and our elimination of synchronization processing, on-the-fly processing gain, adaptive equalization. • Under a current SBIR Phase II effort from DARPA, we are currently developing an integrated circuit system-on-chip design that contains most of the functions of wireless data transfer. We have already developed a miniaturized printed wiring board with surface mount components that can be exploited to meet the needs of this topic.