Sigma-Netics Sensor Support Electronics (SN:SSE)

Sigma-Netics intends on developing a hybrid microchip version of the MEDLI SSE that will meet the requirement of MIL-PRF-38534.nbsp;NASA wishes to equip all future planetary missions with a MEDLI like EDL system.nbsp; Many planetary missions do not have the funding or project timeline to fly an EDL sensor suite similar to the MEDLI and MEDLI2.nbsp; Sigma-Netics will develop a low cost Data Acquisition System that can survive the rigors of space flight and be cost effective to fly on all planetary missions.nbsp; A fully qualified target cost of less than 1 million dollars is achievable by the innovative approach we are outlining.nbsp; By using hybrid technology to make a custom EDL ldquo;system on a chiprdquo; massive size and weight saving will be had.nbsp; In addition by utilizing MIL-PRF-38534 will maintain the ruggedness and reliability of the MEDLI amp; MEDLI2 SSE.nbsp;Cabling makes up considerable mass in all data acquisition spacecraft systems. By going wireless the entire system size and mass is greatly reduced. This will allow for the agencyrsquo;s desire to deliver larger payloads to planets.nbsp;The SBIR has requested a module size of less than 10 cm3 with a max number of four modules. Sigma-Netics believes this achievable by integrating all of the signal conditioning and multiplexing into hybrid microcircuits specifically designed for EDL type applications. With our experience with MEDLI amp; MEDLI2 SSE the fundamental circuity would remain similar.nbsp;The electrical system design and brass board prototypes will demonstrate that this new design meets and performs similar to MEDLI2 SSE with its measurement uncertainty. This will be fully demonstrated during phase one. Then we will begin the integration of that base design into hybrid microcircuit design. This way we keep the performance, but create our system on chip structure and the smallest EDL sensor support electronics ever built.