Emerging Technologies for VLSI Applications Kevin Skey, Principal Investigator Problems:
Microelectronics technology advances at a very accelerated pace. Current design techniques offered by CAD tools do not address the design challenges generated by new semiconductor processes over the next 3-5 years. In order to incorporate these advances into an integrated circuit (IC) design flow, new CAD techniques and algorithms must be developed.
Objectives:
This project will research and develop microelectronics design techniques, software tools, and resources for the next-generation process technologies that will allow MITRE to explore the efficient architectures necessary for advanced systems needed by our sponsors.
Activities:
The project will design low-power solutions. We expect to make a contribution in this area by taking a systems perspective and optimizing across all domains. We will specify highly integrated and complex systems, and evaluate SystemC and other language alternatives for system design. We will also evaluate verification techniques necessary to validate the design before IC prototypes are built.
Impact:
The ability to design custom ICs enables MITRE to explore and suggest a broader range of architectures and implementations leading to small, practical solutions to the needs of our customers. This expertise also enhances our skills and practical knowledge of state-of-the-art microelectronics and enables our role as technical advisors to set the vision in a broad range of programs.
Approved for Public Release: 06-1222 Presentation [PDF]
Generic Transformational Scalable, Modular Affordable RF Transceiver (Get SMART) Perry Hamlyn, Principal Investigator Problems:
DoD and intelligence communities need small, low power, covert systems with performance characteristics beyond commercially available hardware for wireless data transmission with a low probability of detection and intercept to accomplish missions such as tagging, beacons, and data exfiltration. A generic, reconfigurable transceiver is critical to providing this capability at an affordable price.
Objectives:
Utilize MITRE's extensive system design experience in Mixed Signal & Digital microelectronics, coupled with domain expertise in RF, Analog, and COM to produce a scalable, modular, adaptable transceiver that is low cost, low power and high performance across a variety of network centric operations. The transceiver must be modular, reconfigurable, have wide bandwidth, and be platform-interoperable.
Activities:
Leverage MITRE's extensive system and microelectronic design expertise to develop common threads for the transceiver architecture suitable for multiple applications such as Blue Force and asset tracking and net centric data exfiltration. Converter design, mixed signal modeling, simulation, prototyping, assimilation of SiGe technology, and RFIC layout and packaging are critical steps in the development of the Get SMART transceiver.
Impact:
Get SMART provides focus for microelectronic developments in key areas such as mixed signal system on a chip, reconfigurable, and ultra low power electronics. It fills the performance/cost void for high performance transceivers, providing low cost, portable wireless data transmission for applications such as network centric operations, beacons, Blue Force, UAV, and asset tracking. Get SMART supports network centric operations
Approved for Public Release: 04-1295 Presentation [PDF]
ISIS Perry F. Hamlyn, Principal Investigator Problems:
Integrated Sensor Is Structure (ISIS) is developing a stratospheric airship-based, autonomous sensor for persistent surveillance and tracking of air and ground targets. Developing ultra-high-density energy collection and storage systems for near space poses enormous challenges for designers. To meet the requirements, designers must produce regenerative systems capable of producing 500 W-hr/kg, two to three times current practice.
Objectives:
ISIS will design an energy collection, storage, and distribution system capable of handling over 3,000 kW-hr per day while achieving a total efficiency of 500 W-hr/kg. The system must be capable of providing this power while stationed at approximately 70,000 feet almost anywhere over the earth’s surface and maintaining 99 percent availability.
Activities:
We will provide analysis and technical support to the contractors and attend quarterly design reviews leading up to milestone testing. At DARPA’s direction we will investigate other state-of-the-art and emerging technologies to implement an energy generation, storage, and distribution system for ISIS, including photovoltaics, fuel cells, and power storage systems. Other activities could include reliability, radar performance, and communications studies.
Impact:
This development is a key enabling technology for the DARPA ISIS platform. In addition, the concept of high-density energy storage is applicable to many of MITRE’s other sponsors.
Approved for Public Release: 07-0289 Presentation [PDF]
Nanosystems Modeling and Nanoelectronic Computers James Ellenbogen, Principal Investigator Problems:
The 40-year-long miniaturization revolution in electronics continues to be of great economic and military importance to the United States. However, it is likely that miniaturization of conventional solid-state microelectronic devices will not be possible beyond the years 2010-2012.
Objectives:
The Nanosystems Modeling and Nanoelectronic Computers Project is addressing the problem of designing, fabricating, and applying electronic systems and novel materials that are integrated on the nanometer scale, i.e., the molecular scale. Such nanoelectronic systems and other nanosystems will be the ultra-miniaturized successors to present-day microelectronics and microsystems.
Activities:
The project team is developing new understanding of the electrical properties of molecules and other nanostructures, plus new methods for manipulating them to build nanocomputers. Also, the team is exploring novel applications, such as the millirobots controlled by nanocomputers that the team is fabricating. It is anticipated that these investigations will lead to new technical publications and intellectual property.
Impact:
These investigations have led to groundbreaking publications, as well as novel inventions and patents. The R&D also has assisted several government agencies in initiating advanced research projects in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology, for example, the DARPA Moletronics program. Additionally, this project has served to educate a cadre of student investigators who have gone on to further important nanotechnology achievements.
Approved for Public Release: 04-0347 Presentation [PDF]
Nanotubes for Small Antennas Janet Werth, Principal Investigator Problems:
Small wireless sensors sense the environment, with demand anticipated to increase dramatically. While sensor circuitry keeps shrinking, a corresponding reduction in antenna size leads to shorter communication range due to low antenna efficiency/gain. More power is needed or conversely, the antennas can be tuned with a lossy matching network. Low loss antenna matching networks are needed for small wireless sensors.
Objectives:
This initiative will expand and uniquely apply MITRE's CNT knowledge base. The cornerstone is validation of how CNTs work from the nano to macro level through prototypes. We will develop knowledge of CNT electron transport behavior, design transmission line prototypes, establish relationships with manufacturers, define test methodologies that support characterization of the prototype transport, and measure the prototype transport properties.
Activities:
This MSR is planned as a four year effort ending with a CNT-based matching network circuit. During year one we will study ballistic transport theory for CNT bundles, define a SWNT bundle configuration, align the configuration with a manufacturing process, and design a measurement technique. MITRE will be positioned for transmission line prototyping to begin in year two.
Impact:
The remarkable electrical/mechanical properties of CNTs make this extraordinary material of considerable interest to MITRE and our customers. This MSR will exploit CNTs electrical properties to create low loss matching networks enabling smaller antennas. Smaller antennas are of great interest to our user community, where highly populated platforms are unable to add capabilities due to the unavailability of real estate.
Approved for Public Release: 06-0251 Presentation [PDF]
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