Miniature Initiation System Technology (MIST)

"In the past five years, SDI has developed low energy EFI detonators, built with MEMS processes, that have about half the firing voltage of previous designs. These detonators are in production and are being used in about six weapon systems.This reduction in firing voltage makes it possible to use much lower cost capacitors and switches that were not available for the higher voltages of original EFIs. Such components are available off-the-shelf, built in large quantities for commercialapplications. In this project we propose to investigate the off-the-shelf semiconductors as the high voltage switch. If successful in Phase I, we will then design, build, test and qualify a small, low-cost, universal, single-point EFI module. This module wouldcombine in one hermetically-sealed package the EFI detonator, capacitor and high voltage switch. We will also develop a second version that adds the transformer and diodes to the module, combining all high voltage components in a hermetically sealedpackage that is easy to use by fuze manufacturers. Such a unit could be used in many different weapon systems, solving at one time the recurring problems with high voltage arcing and fratricide between multiple warheads. Built in high volumes, such amodule would reduce the cost to all DOD weapons systems that can take advantage of it. In addition, its availability as a standard subsystem would permit many more companies, even those without explos