Diamond Technology High Temperature Electronics Radiation Hardened Interceptor Communications

The goal of this program is to develop high-speed interceptor communications solutions that are hardened to space and nuclear radiation, including high altitude nuclear explosions (HANEs). As part of this program, AET will specifically investigate the use of advanced diamond technology for communications applications. The approach of AET, Inc. is to first identify a communication system architecture and technology that have applicability to MDA interceptor communications. Radiation hardening techniques will be studied for each of the most promising system architecture, specifically focusing on integrating advanced diamond and carbon nanotubes into the architecture. The output will be a set of communications system and hardware trades, which substantiate a proposed solution and provides quantifiable metrics for comparison. Communications transmit/receive modules may be appropriate for engineering studies. To support a complete system design effort in Phase II, AET, Inc. will develop new models that will be needed to verify the operation of the radiation hardened components as well as the advanced diamond technologies. Computer simulations will be run to predict the performance of the interceptor communications systems under a variety of environmental conditions. AET, Inc will begin coordination with MDA contractors to ensure products will be relevant to ongoing and planned projects.