Highly Integrated THz Receiver Systems for Small Satellite Remote Sensing Applications

Abstract

We are developing miniaturized, highly integrated Schottky receiver systems suitable for use in CubeSats or other small spacecraft platforms, where state-of-the-art performance and ultra-low mass, power, and volume are required. Current traditional Schottky receivers are too large to employ on a CubeSat. We will develop highly integrated receivers operating from 520-600 GHz and 1040-1200 GHz that are based on state-of-the-art receivers already developed at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) by using novel 3D multi layer packaging. This process will reduce both mass and volume by more than an order of magnitude, while preserving state-of-the-art noise performance. The resulting receiver systems will have a volume of approximately 25 x 25 x 40 millimeters (mm), a mass of 250 grams (g), and power consumption on the order of of 7 watts (W). Using these techniques, we will also integrate both receivers into a single frame, further reducing mass and volume for applications where dual band operation is advantageous. Additionally, as Schottky receivers offer significant gains in noise performance when cooled to 100 K, we will investigate the improvement gained by passively cooling these receivers. Work by Sierra Lobo Inc., with their Cryo Cube technology development program, offers the possibility of passive cooling to 100 K on CubeSat platforms for 1-unit (1U) sized instruments.