SBIR-STTR Award

Polaris Semiconductor has developed a unique DC-DC voltage conversion technology which enables high performance up and down conversion without the use of switching. This eliminates conducted and radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI) effects, output voltage ripple, high component count, and large size and weight drawbacks which exist in switching-based approaches, providing disruptive capabilities in demanding DoD applications. This project will support targeted R&D which expands on our existing technology to build a new, high-performance, isolated DC-DC converter for high-voltage, high-power applications in eVTOL aircraft. Our technology employs a novel optoelectronic component which converts voltage using photons, as part of a linear voltage regulator architecture. This allows our device to break the fundamental efficiency limits for a linear voltage regulator, achieving functionality presently only available using switching approaches. Our Phase I project will use design and experimental studies to assess the feasibility of our approach for high power and high voltage DC-DC conversion in demanding defense environments. This expands our technology beyond our present non-defense prototypes which are centered on low power, low input/output voltage, non-isolated devices. We will use a combination of epitaxial growth, photomask design, optoelectronic device fabrication and electrical characterization to overcome key technical challenges and minimize risk in critical components of our system, and generate designs for each component of our DC-DC converter ready for breadboard demonstration in Phase II. Our research will combine the design, modeling, and circuit-level expertise of Polaris Semiconductor with the world-class semiconductor research facilities of The Ohio State University, building on a successful existing collaboration to develop Polaris Semiconductor technology. Our team will also perform extensive customer discover in Phase I, connecting with key decision makers in the Air Force to learn more about their specific needs, requirements, and end-use applications, as well as interviewing key industry players to identify current trends, potential stakeholders and test our value proposition hypotheses. If we are successful, our technology will enable a 60% reduction in weight and 35% reduction in footprint over existing solutions for DC-DC conversion.

Polaris Semiconductor has pioneered a voltage regulator technology that can raise and lower DC voltage with zero electromagnetic interference (EMI), an extremely compact footprint and high efficiency. This overcomes long-standing pain-points associated with incumbent solutions based on switching regulators, including drawbacks associated with conducted and radiated EMI, high component count, large footprint and excessive weight. This project will support targeted R&D that builds upon our existing technology to develop a high input voltage (?28V), high output current (?1A) and high efficiency version of our voltage regulator, including high tolerance to radiation (>1Mrad TID) and the possibility for galvanic isolation of the input and output without requiring a transformer. Our technology is based upon a novel linear voltage regulator architecture featuring a unique monolithic optocoupler (MLOC) component, which converts voltage using photons with unprecedented efficiency. This allows our device to break the fundamental efficiency limits for a linear voltage regulator, achieving functionality presently only available using switching approaches. Our Phase I project used modeling and experimental studies to develop key aspects of the MLOC component to increase efficiency and extend its use to higher voltages and higher powers. In Phase II, these results will be used to build a new generation of improved MLOCs and, in conjunction with the highly radiation tolerant SOI MESFET linear regulator technology developed by RF Micropower, we will build the first ever compact, packaged prototypes of our technology. We will demonstrate DC voltage regulator components with a range of up-conversion and down-conversion combinations to meet our end user’s needs for extremely low-noise, rad-hard point-of-load regulators with minimal footprint. We will also use our unique, patented isolated voltage regulator designs that enable isolation without using transformers, dramatically improving SWaP-C over incumbents, as well as offering zero EMI generation and competitive efficiency. This is crucial for applications with the most demanding noise and safety requirements. Our research will employ the unique semiconductor design, development and applications expertise of Polaris Semiconductor, world-class research facilities of OSU, and leading foundry partners to build disruptive prototypes. If we are successful, our technology will enable a five-fold reduction in footprint and component count over existing switching-based solutions for DC-DC conversion whilst achieving high efficiency, unbeatable RF-silent performance, and high intrinsic radiation tolerance for harsh space environments.