Reconfigurable Analog Electronics for Missiles Defense Elements

Space Micro is proposing the innovative design of high frequency, RF, and microwave field programmable analog arrays to be used for the development of analog circuits, such as focal plane arrays, radar and ladar subsystems. These ICs will be called Field Programmable Microwave Arrays (FPMA). Low frequency field programmable analog arrays (FPAAs) exist commercially, but are limited to frequencies less than 12MHz. We present an innovative solution by combining a novel high-speed switch with analog ASIC functional elements to form FPMAs. On-chip control circuitry will be included to provide dynamic reconfiguration of each switch, allowing for in-field and in-circuit programming. Each FPMA will be organized into configurable analog blocks, matching typical applications, and will also allow dynamic parametric adjustment (programmable gain, filter frequencies, etc.) A family of FPMAs are planned to be designed/manufactured on commercially available ASIC CMOS or GaAs processes, with functional array architectures that match typical high?frequency systems. Benefits include the ability to manufacture reconfigurable analog hardware, useable with systems such as "software defined radio", communication transmit and receive chains, radar exciters, and remote sensors (FPAs, cryocoolers, etc.). Radiation hardness is planned to meet typical missile defense and satellite applications.