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Siles, Jose

Publications and source records attributed to Siles, Jose.

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2020

Integrated Silicon Platform for Co-planar Design of Vertically Stacked 2.06 THz Mixer Module

The process for fabricating and utilizing the threedimensional Si stack receiver front-end is described in this paper. The capability to have exact dimensionality becomes essential as frequency scales due to the complexity arising in assembly and finer tolerances. Total process yields can be improved through Si fabrication by verifying achievement of specified tolerances lithographically and compatibility to rapid process changes and design fine-tuning. The integrated Si platform with the mounted device is shown in Figure 1. Signal I/O and alignment modalities enable lownoise measurements. Silicon micromachining provides the necessary accuracy for integration at the several THz regime. Particularly, processing and etch recipes have demonstrated smooth surfaces of < 1 μm surface roughness. In consideration is pre-compensating for minute offsets, matching mechanical strain on all interfaces, and including passive alignment verification in the design. As compared to metal blocks, computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling can produce slight burrs in the interfaces resulting in misalignment and resultant strain between two pieces of components. Furthermore, Si integration can make possible arrays of pixel transceivers through compact subsystems for the purpose of measuring multiple lines of spectral content simultaneously in space.

Mehdi, Imran↗
NASA NTRS2019

An upgraded G-band differential absorption radar system for future airborne studies

A proof-of-concept, 170 GHz frequency-modulated, continuous-wave (FMCW) radar has been developed for measuring water vapor profiles within the cloudy boundary layer from an airborne platform. The measurement concept exploits the differential absorption accrued by two or more transmitted frequencies in the vicinity of the 183 GHz water absorption line to retrieve range-resolved humidity profiles, so-called differential absorption radar (DAR). The upgraded system design includes important considerations for monostatic radar operation with an open fuselage viewport (i.e. no radome). The radar features an all-solid-state tansmitter with > 0:4 W continuous transmit power, a 60 cm primary aperture and corresponding 58 dB antenna gain, and more than 80 dB transmit/receive isolation, enabling near thermal-noise-limited sensitivity with a 8 dB noise figure receiver. Ice-cloud radar returns are detected beyond 8 km in height from the ground, demonstrating the high sensitivity of the system. In addition to in-cloud humidity profiling capabilities, deployment of a water vapor DAR from an airborne platform enables measurements of total column water vapor (TCWV) for all weather and surface scenarios. Precision estimates and potential biases for future TCWV measurements are discussed.

Monje, Raquel↗
NASA NTRS2018

Compact 1.9 THz Multi-Pixel Local Oscillator Chain

Single-pixel heterodyne receivers are severely limited in their capability to map large areas on the sky. We report on the development of THz multi-pixel local oscillator sources that ought to enable THz array receivers of the future. We demonstrate a prototype 16-pixel chain at 1.9 THz. Output power in excess of >10 microwatts has been demonstrated per pixel from this compact chain.

Lin, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2018

THz Technology for Space Communications

As space instruments become ubiquitous along with advancing capabilities, one of the central challenge is to provide more efficient communication links, between the control center and the instrument or between a cluster of satellites or instruments. Similarly, high-data rate communications between a mother ship and a lander is highly desirable not only for navigation but for science data as well. THz communications systems present a number of advantages in implementing efficient data-links between various scenarios for space applications. This review article will discuss some of the recent advances in solid-state coherent sources that has now made it possible to design and implement THz communication systems specifically for space applications. An example architecture at 240 GHz has been suggested as it is now possible to achieve >100 mW of output power at 240 GHz. With highly sensitive and linear heterodyne mixers, such a system could potentially provide higher data rate capability than in use today.

Jornet, Josep M.↗
NASA NTRS2018

THz technology for space communications

As space instruments become ubiquitous along with advancing capabilities, one of the central challenge is to provide more efficient communication links, between the control center and the instrument or between a cluster of satellites or instruments. Similarly, high-data rate communications between a mother ship and a lander is highly desirable not only for navigation but for science data as well. THz communications systems present a number of advantages in implementing efficient data-links between various scenarios for space applications. This review article will discuss some of the recent advances in solid-state coherent sources that has now made it possible to design and implement THz communication systems specifically for space applications. An example architecture at 240 GHz has been suggested as it is now possible to achieve >100 mW of output power at 240 GHz. With highly sensitive and linear heterodyne mixers, such a system could potentially provide higher data rate capability than in use today.

Jornet, Josep M.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Differential Absorption Radar at 170 GHz for Atmospheric Boundary Layer Water Vapor Profiling

We are developing a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar between 167 and 174.8 GHz to measure differential absorption due to water vapor within the atmospheric boundary layer. In this work, we report on single-frequency measurements performed within this band in the presence of precipitating clouds. Despite the relatively low transmit power of 6-10 dBm, the high transmit/receive isolation and low noise figure of the system enables detection of radar echos from rain or clouds with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) out to about one kilometer. Near future upgrades to the system that will lengthen significantly the detectable range include a 15 to 20 dB increase in output power and 20 dB increase in antenna gain. This work builds on technology developed and measurements performed in our group in the 183.5 to 193 GHz band, which is subject to transmission restrictions due to passive remote sensing platforms that rely on those frequencies.

Rodriguez Monje, Raquel↗
NASA NTRS2018

G-band FMCW Radar for Humidity Profiling Inside Boundary Layer Clouds

We are developing a G-band FMCW radar for remote sensing of vertical water vapor profiles and total column water vapor. The radar utilizes the frequency-dependent absorption near the 183 GHz water absorption line to obtain a differential signal from which we can derive range-resolved humidity measurements. This proof-of-concept instrument will eventually be tested from an airborne platform. In this report, we discuss recent measurements and a humidity profile retrieval algorithm based on an absorption line shape fitting model

Monje, Raquel↗
NASA NTRS2017

4-Pixel Heterodyne Receiver at 1.9 THz using a CMOS Spectrometer

We present results from a 4x1-pixel 1.9 THz heterodyne array for the astrophysically important [CII] spectral line. A 4-pixel multiplier chain at 1.9 THz, with a compact spacing of 5 mm, is used as an LO. Receiver performance is verified by y-factor measurements with measured sensitivities of 900 K. Finally, using a coherent source near the target frequency of 1.9 THz, we down convert to baseband and measure spectra with both an IBOB and a new CMOS-based spectrometer. The CMOS spectrometer provides several advantages over more traditional spectrometers because of its compact size and low power consumption. This receiver prototype is easily scalable to other frequencies and larger focal plane arrays. Furthermore, because of its compact configuration, it can be easily packaged for orbital or sub-orbital missions.

Mehdi, Imran↗
NASA NTRS2016

A 2 Thz Schottky Solid-State Heterodyne Receiver for Atmospheric Studies

Obtaining temperature, pressure, and composition profiles along with wind velocities in the Earth's thermosphere/ionosphere system is a key NASA goal for understanding our planet. We report on the status of a technology development effort to build an all-solid-state heterodyne receiver at 2.06 terahertz that will allow the measurement of the 2.06 terahertz [OI] line for altitudes greater than 100 kilometers. The receiver front end features low-parasitic Schottky diode mixer chips that are driven by a local oscillator (LO) source using Schottky diode based multipliers. The multiplier chain consists of a 38 gigahertz oscillator followed by a set of three cascaded triplers at 114 gigahertz, 343 gigahertz and 1.03 terahertz.

Treuttel, Jeanne↗