GHz Optical Underwater Detection Receiver

As a response to Navy’s Navy SBIR Topic N212-126, Alphacore will develop a wide bandwidth (> 1GHz), multi-element optical receiver to enable the extraction of both reflectivity and range features of objects in water. This proposed work will integrate advanced compact photo detectors with Alphacore’s innovative high speed readout technology. The proposed system will be optimized for optical sensitivity in the blue-green wavelengths (400nm to 560nm) with sufficient dynamic range to detect signals in high clutter environments. Alphacore will demonstrate feasibility of a prototype 128 X 128  pixel array (16384 pixels) based wideband optical receiver system.     Alphacore proposes a the following approach to complete feasibility analysis of prototype wideband, multi-element optical receiver by the end of Phase I.  1. Alphacore will perform a trade space analysis on wide input bandwidth and low noise front-end electronics. The analysis will focus on bandwidth, noise, power, area and their interdependencies.    2. Alphacore will evaluate multi-element avalanche photodiodes (APDs) in linear mode with wide input bandwidths and low input noise. This will be done leveraging our existing IR&D programs’ efforts and fabricated prototypes as a result of these programs.  3. Alphacore will optimize our innovative high speed readout technology to enable large element count (>10,000 elements). Alphacore will leverage our silicon proven world record breaking ultra-low power, and ultra-small sized digitizer designs.   4. Alphacore will work with our 3D IC integration partners, who are industry’s leading players with integration experience in ROICs of more than 1M pixel (1000 X 1000 arrays).