SBIR-STTR Award

We propose a feasibility study of a fully intgrated radiation hardened (>1Mrad/si), programmable crystal oscilator (RPXO) in a miniature package that will deliver stable clock signal output under extreme temperature range from -230C to +200C. The innovations envisioned for RPXO will include a radiation hardened SiGe ASIC with HBT configuration for the analog section and CMOS configuration for the digital part. Recent research results of SiGe show excellent promise for a very wide operating temperature and high TID. Special design techniques will be studied and evaluated to reduce or eliminate SEL condition. Another innovation is an assembly that includes the crystal resonator and its mechanical support that will withstand the extreme temperature range as well as more than 2000 thermal cycles as experienced on Mars and Moon. Finite element analysis will be the main tool to establish confidence in the design study of the thermo-mechanical portions of the RPXO including package related mechanical interfaces. The microelecronic package will be commercially available and reflect a standard form-factor. It will hold all of the said elements and include provisions for programmability features of the RPXO. The package study will evaluate leadless version and compliant lead alternative configuration to facilitate the application of the device on PCB. All RPXO assembly process will be commercially viable and based on proven, and reliable techniques.

Chronos Technology (Div. of FMI, Inc.) proposes to design, fabricate and deliver a conceptually proven, practical, and commercially available solution for a novel compact, radiation hardened, stable, low power, programmable crystal oscillator (RPXO), for high reliability space & extreme temperature applications. Our proposed device will be offered in a robust miniature 5x7mm industry standard surface mount package (0.24 grams only). We have engaged in the Phase I study to further refine the approach with more confidence which concludes that the proposed solution would also offer compelling features such as scalable (wide) frequency range (100KHz to 250MHz), and dual output logic compatibility (CMOS & LVDS). The compelling features of our device features include drastically improved reliability and quicker availability. The overall design of the RPXO includes a radiation hardened SiGe ASIC that operates over the extreme temperature range of -230C to +150C and holds all the necessary functions of a crystal driver circuit, synthesizer, and output buffers. The ASIC uniquely provides dual output logic compatibility (CMOS and LVDS). All aspects of radiation hardness such as TID, ELDERS and SEU have been researched and addressed in the phase 1 study. The SiGe ASIC is integrated with a high reliability and radiation hardened crystal resonator in a highly compliant yet robust miniature package.