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3D Microfabricated Low Loss Reconfigurable Components

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX09CD83P
Agency Tracking Number: 085557
Amount: $88,370.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: O1.07
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2009
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2009-01-22
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2009-07-22
Small Business Information
3155 State Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060-6604
United States
DUNS: 827000014
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Jean Marc Rollin
 Principal Investigator
 (540) 552-4610
 jmrollin@nuvotronics.com
Business Contact
 Chris Nichols
Title: Business Official
Phone: (540) 552-4610
Email: cnichols@nuvotronics.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Typical communication satellites use traditional waveguide front-end architectures due to excellent electrical performance and high reliability. However, these systems are extremely massive and use large volume mostly due to the low-insertion loss waveguide. Replacement of the waveguide components by microfabricated parts without substantially affecting the electrical performance can lead to a breakthrough in wireless communications.

The overall goal of the proposed SBIR project is to develop low-cost, reliable, miniaturized RF MEMS switch components suitable for a variety of communication subsystems. Two approaches will be investigated. The first approach will be looking at monolithically integrating RF MEMS switches within the PolyStrataTM technology, developed at Nuvotronics in Blacksburg, VA as part of the DARPA 3DMERFS program. This approach should enable disruptive low-loss and high-Q RF components from S-band up to W-band. The second approach will rely on state of the art known good RF switches to be assembled on the low loss PolyStrata backplane. This second approach will provide lower loss, higher density and higher power handling than the current RF MEMS components. The proposed technology can be applied to multiple operating frequencies at a minimum cost due to the batch capability of the PolyStrata process.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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