Flexible Reconfigurable Analog Matrix

Today's anti-missile systems are increasingly becoming an important resource for the defense of the nation. The success of our anti-missile systems depends on establishing superior technology to maintain an advantage. Even with the latest advancements in missile technology, size, weight, and packaging constraints remain an inherent limitation in these modern weapon systems. The MDA is focusing on the dramatic reduction of the size and weight of analog seeker electronics and to minimize the time required to integrate new sensor technologies into seeker applications by utilizing reconfigurable analog electronics. The primary sensors of interest include focal plane arrays, RADAR, LADAR, and cryogenic coolers. Systran Federal Corp. believes that a viable solution lies in the development of a flexible analog interfacing architecture that utilizes reconfigurable analog components. This new architecture would exploit recent advancements in reconfigurable analog components, including Field Programmable Analog Arrays, reconfigurable analog components (i.e., op amps, comparators, etc.), and microcontrollers with integrated analog-to-digital converters and digital-to-analog converters. Combinations of these devices, along with Field Programmable Gate Arrays, would provide a flexible analog architecture that promotes the reduction in the size, weight, packaging, and in the amount of time required to upgrade analog sensors for missile systems.