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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 271 records · Page 15

Custom CMOS Reed Solomon coder for the Hubble Space Telescope

A VLSI coder is presented that can function either as an encoder or decoder for Reed-Solomon codes. VLSI is one approach to implementing high-performance Reed-Solomon decoders. There are three VLSI technologies that could be used: gate arrays, standard cells, and full custom. The first two approaches are relatively easy to implement, but are limited in both performance and density. Full-custom VLSI is used to achieve both circuit density and speed, and allows control of the amount of interconnect. Speed, which is a function of capacitance, which is a function of interconnect, is an important parameter in high-performance VLSI. A single 8.2 mm x 8.4 mm, 200,000 transistor CMOS chip implementation of the Reed-Solomon code required by the Hubble Space Telescope is reported. The chip features a 10-MHz sustained byte rate independent of error pattern. The 1.6-micron CMOS integrated circuit has complete decoder and encoder functions and uses a single data/system clock. Block lengths up to 255 bytes and shortened codes are supported with no external buffering. Erasure corrections and random error corrections are supported with programmable correction of up to 10 symbol errors. Correction time is independent of error pattern and the number of errors in the incoming message.

Whitaker, S.↗

Engineering Tunneling Selector to Achieve High Non-linearity for 1S1R Integration

Memristor devices have been extensively studied as one of the most promising technologies for next-generation non-volatile memory. However, for the memristor devices to have a real technological impact, they must be densely packed in a large crossbar array (CBA) exceeding Gigabytes in size. Devising a selector device that is CMOS compatible, 3D stackable, and has a high non-linearity (NL) and great endurance is a crucial enabling ingredient to reach this goal. Tunneling based selectors are very promising in these aspects, but the mediocre NL value limits their applications in large passive crossbar arrays. In this work, we demonstrated a trilayer tunneling selector based on the Ge/Pt/TaN 1+x /Ta 2 O 5 /TaN 1+x /Pd layers that could achieve a NL of 3 × 10 5 , which is the highest NL achieved using a tunnel selector so far. The record-high tunneling NL is partially attributed to the bottom electrode's ultra-smoothness (BE) induced by a Ge/Pt layer. We further demonstrated the feasibility of 1S1R (1-selector 1-resistor) integration by vertically integrating a Pd/Ta 2 O 5 /Ru based memristor on top of the proposed selector.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Development of CMOS Active Pixel Image Sensors for Low Cost Commercial Applications

This paper describes ongoing research and development of CMOS active pixel image sensors for low cost commercial applications. A number of sensor designs have been fabricated and tested in both p-well and n-well technologies. Major elements in the development of the sensor include on-chip analog signal processing circuits for the reduction of fixed pattern noise, on-chip timing and control circuits and on-chip analog-to-digital conversion (ADC). Recent results and continuing efforts in these areas will be presented.

active pixel image sensors CMOS signal processing ↗

180 Degree Hybrid (Rat-Race) Junction on CMOS Grade Silicon with a Polyimide Interface Layer

180-degree hybrid junctions can be used to equally divide power between two output ports with either a 0 or 180-degree phase difference. Alternatively, they can be used to combine signals from two sources and output a sum and difference signal. The main limitation of implementing; these on CMOS grade silicon is the high loss associated with the substrate. In this paper, we present a low loss 180-degree hybrid junction on CMOS grade (15 omega-cm) silicon with a polyimide interface layer for the first time. The divider utilizes Finite Ground Coplanar (FGC) line technology, and operates at a center frequency of 15 GIIz.

Ponchak, George E.↗

Memory technology survey

The current status of semiconductor, magnetic, and optical memory technologies is described. Projections based on these research activities planned for the shot term are presented. Conceptual designs of specific memory buffer pplications employing bipola, CMOS, GaAs, and Magnetic Bubble devices are discussed.

Source record↗

Human Factors and ISS Medical Systems: Highlights of Procedures and Equipment Findings

As part of the Space Human Factors Engineering Critical Questions Roadmap, a three year Technology Development Project (TDP) was funded by NASA Headquarters to examine emergency medical procedures on ISS. The overall aim of the emergency medical procedures project was to determine the human factors issues in the procedures, training, communications and equipment, and to recommend solutions that will improve the survival rate of crewmembers in the event of a medical emergency. Currently, each ISS crew remains on orbit for six month intervals. As there is not standing requirement for a physician crewmember, during such time, the maintenance of crew health is dependant on individual crewmembers. Further, in the event of an emergency, crew will need to provide prolonged maintenance care, as well as emergency treatment, to an injured crewmember while awaiting transport to Earth. In addition to the isolation of the crew, medical procedures must be carried out within the further limitations imposed by the physical environment of the space station. For example, in order to administer care on ISS without the benefit of gravity, the Crew Medical Officers (CMOs) must restrain the equipment required to perform the task, restrain the injured crewmember, and finally, restrain themselves. Both the physical environment and the physical space available further limit the technology that can be used onboard. Equipment must be compact, yet able to withstand high levels of radiation and function without gravity. The focus here is to highlight the human factors impacts from our three year project involving the procedures and equipment areas that have been investigated and provided valuable to ISS and provide groundwork for human factors requirements for medical applications for exploration missions.

Byrne, V. E.↗

Commercial sensor survey status report

The NEPP FY07 Sensor Technology Commercial Sensor Survey task is geared toward benefiting future NASA space missions with low-cost, short-duty-cycle, visible imaging needs. Such applications could include imaging for educational outreach purposes or short surveys of spacecraft, planetary, or lunar surfaces. Under the task, inexpensive commercial grade sensors (e.g., CMOS-based “camera on a chip” systems) have been surveyed and selected for ionizing dose and displacement damage tolerance testing. Only inexpensive, commercial imagers with potential for use in low-duty-cycle space exploration applications have been considered; the task does not address high-cost science grade imagers or hardened technologies. The selected sensors had to meet selection criteria geared toward supporting small, low-mass cameras that produce good resolution color images. This document discusses the selection process.

Konefat, Edward H.↗

System-on-chip approach microwave imaging reflectometer on DIII-D tokamak

System-on-chip millimeter wave integrated circuit technology is used on the two-dimensional millimeter-wave imaging reflectometer (MIR) upgrade for density fluctuation imaging on the DIII-D tokamak fusion plasma. Customized CMOS chips have been successfully developed for the transmitter module and receiver module array, covering the 55–75 GHz working band. The transmitter module has the capability of simultaneously launching eight tunable probe frequencies (>0 dBm output power each). The receiver enclosure contains 12 receiver modules in two vertical lines. The quasi-optical local oscillator coupling of previous MIR systems has been replaced with an internal active frequency multiplier chain for improved local oscillator power delivery and flexible installation in a narrow space together with improved shielding against electromagnetic interference. The 55–75 GHz low noise amplifier, used between the receiver antenna and the first-stage mixer, significantly improves module sensitivity and suppresses electronics noise. The receiver module has a 20 dB gain improvement compared with the mini-lens approach and better than –75 dBm sensitivity, and its electronics noise temperature has been reduced from 55 000 K down to 11 200 K. Further, the V-band MIR system is developed for co-located multi-field investigation of MHD-scale fluctuations in the pedestal region with W-band electron cyclotron emission imaging on DIII-D tokamak.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Modeling performance of data collection systems for high-energy physics

Exponential increases in scientific experimental data are outpacing silicon technology progress, necessitating heterogeneous computing systems—particularly those utilizing machine learning (ML)—to meet future scientific computing demands. The growing importance and complexity of heterogeneous computing systems require systematic modeling to understand and predict the effective roles for ML. We present a model that addresses this need by framing the key aspects of data collection pipelines and constraints and combining them with the important vectors of technology that shape alternatives, computing metrics that allow complex alternatives to be compared. For instance, a data collection pipeline may be characterized by parameters such as sensor sampling rates and the overall relevancy of retrieved samples. Alternatives to this pipeline are enabled by development vectors including ML, parallelization, advancing CMOS, and neuromorphic computing. By calculating metrics for each alternative such as overall F1 score, power, hardware cost, and energy expended per relevant sample, our model allows alternative data collection systems to be rigorously compared. We apply this model to the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment and its planned high luminosity-large hadron collider upgrade, evaluating novel technologies for the data acquisition system (DAQ), including ML-based filtering and parallelized software. The results demonstrate that improvements to early DAQ stages significantly reduce resources required later, with a power reduction of 60% and increased relevant data retrieval per unit power (from 0.065 to 0.31 samples/kJ). However, we predict that further advances will be required in order to meet overall power and cost constraints for the DAQ.

Olin-Ammentorp, Wilkie (ORCID:0000000224729862)↗

NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging (NEPP) Program - Update

This slide presentation reviews the goals and mission of the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging (NEPP) Program. The NEPP mission is to provide guidance to NASA for the selection and application of microelectronics technologies, to improve understanding of the risks related to the use of these technologies in the space environment and to ensure that appropriate research is performed to meet NASA mission assurance needs. The program has been supporting NASA for over 20 years. The focus is on the reliability aspects of electronic devices. In this work the program also supports the electronics industry. There are several areas that the program is involved in: Memories, systems on a chip (SOCs), data conversion devices, power MOSFETS, power converters, scaled CMOS, capacitors, linear devices, fiber optics, and other electronics such as sensors, cryogenic and SiGe that are used in space systems. Each of these area are reviewed with the work that is being done in reliability and effects of radiation on these technologies.

LaBel, Kenneth A.↗

Generation of Tunable Stochastic Sequences Using the Insulator–Metal Transition

Probabilistic computing is a paradigm in which data are not represented by stable bits, but rather by the probability of a metastable bit to be in a particular state. The development of this technology has been hindered by the availability of hardware capable of generating stochastic and tunable sequences of “1s” and “0s”. The options are currently limited to complex CMOS circuitry and, recently, magnetic tunnel junctions. Here, we demonstrate that metal–insulator transitions can also be used for this purpose. We use an electrical pump/probe protocol and take advantage of the stochastic relaxation dynamics in VO 2 to induce random metallization events. A simple latch circuit converts the metallization sequence into a random stream of 1s and 0s. The resetting pulse in between probes decorrelates successive events, providing a true stochastic digital sequence.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

An Independent Human Factors Analysis and Evaluation of the Emergency Medical Protocol Checklist for the International Space Station

Emergency medical capabilities aboard the ISS include a Crew Medical Officer (CMO) (not necessarily a physician), and back-up, resuscitation equipment, and a medical checklist. It is essential that CMOs have reliable, usable and informative medical protocols that can be carried out independently in flight. The study evaluates the existing ISS Medical Checklist layout against a checklist updated to reflect a human factors approach to structure and organization. Method: The ISS Medical checklist was divided into non-emergency and emergency sections, and re-organized based on alphabetical and a body systems approach. A desk-top evaluation examined the ability of subjects to navigate to specific medical problems identified as representative of likely non-emergency events. A second evaluation aims to focus on the emergency section of the Medical Checklist, based on the preliminary findings of the first. The final evaluation will use Astronaut CMOs as subjects comparing the original checklist against the updated layout in the task of caring for a "downed crewmember" using a Human Patient Simulator [Medical Education Technologies, Inc.]. Results: Initial results have demonstrated a clear improvement of the re-organized sections to determine the solution to the medical problems. There was no distinct advantage for either alternative, although subjects stated having a preference for the body systems approach. In the second evaluation, subjects will be asked to identify emergency medical conditions, with measures including correct diagnosis, time to completion and solution strategy. The third evaluation will compare the original and fully updated checklists in clinical situations. Conclusions: Initial findings indicate that the ISS Medical Checklist will benefit from a reorganization. The present structure of the checklist has evolved over recent years without systematic testing of crewmember ability to diagnose medical problems. The improvements are expected to enable ISS Crewmembers to more speedily and accurately respond to medical situations on the ISS.

Marshburn, Thomas↗

Scalable low-loss cryogenic packaging of quantum memories in CMOS-foundry processed photonic chips

Optically linked solid-state quantum memories such as color centers in diamond are a promising platform for distributed quantum information processing and networking. Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) have emerged as a crucial enabling technology for these systems, integrating quantum memories with efficient electrical and optical interfaces in a compact and scalable platform. Packaging these hybrid chips into deployable modules while maintaining low optical loss and resiliency to temperature cycling is a central challenge to their practical use. We demonstrate a packaging method for PICs using surface grating couplers and angle-polished fiber arrays that is robust to temperature cycling, offers scalable channel count, applies to a wide variety of PIC platforms and wavelengths, and offers pathways to automated high-throughput packaging. Using this method, we show optically and electrically packaged quantum memory modules integrating all required qubit controls on chip, operating at millikelvin temperatures with <3 dB losses achievable from fiber to quantum memory for the TE 0 mode at a wavelength of 737 nm.

Bernson, Robert [Tyndall National Institute, Cork ↗

Characterization of a CMOS camera based film digitization platform for gated x-ray imaging diagnostics at the National Ignition Facility

Hardened gated x-ray detectors use photographic film as the data recording medium due to its low sensitivity to the high-yield neutron environments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The photographic film is digitized with a Photometric Data Systems (PDS) microdensitometer, which measures the film’s optical density. The PDS scanner is able to measure a dynamic range of 0–5 OD; however, raster scanning the film is time consuming and maintenance of the instrument is challenging due to legacy technology. Since film usage at NIF is expected to continue in the foreseeable future, a digitization platform that is faster and more maintainable would benefit the NIF’s current and future operations. Here, this work presents the characterization of the digital transitions (DT) atom, a CMOS camera-based digitization platform that records film data in a single image capture very quickly and has widely available user support. The preliminary results suggest that the DT atom is able to reconstruct exposures accurately enough to be a competitive alternative to the PDS Scanner.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

NucD-24 Nuclear Diagnostics Development: Time resolved 12 C-rhoR on GCD and NIS technology development for polar LOS and data quality [Slides]

The Neutron Imaging team is readying for the NIS2 polar LOS development and future improvements to data quality on all LOS given consistently higher yields at NIF. Next-gen nano guide scintillators for NIS2 and CMOS cameras to replace outdated CCDs will be studied. Digital image plates will be tested for better data quality on passive imaging systems. The transition into the ignition regime is expected to show a significant signature in the ablator areal density. In the marginal ignition regime, a decrease of 12C-rhoR (ablator areal density) is expected but once the burn propagation produces a shock and compresses the ablator the trend reverses. GCD with the PD-PMT can resolve this effect in the ablator areal density by a temporal shift in the carbon signal. To give quantitative results a calibration of the detector for the Hohlraum/TMP signal is needed. Shots using Al, Si, and Au pucks will yield the needed information to move forward with this project.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Single Event Transient Analysis of an SOI Operational Amplifier for Use in Low-Temperature Martian Exploration

The next generation of Martian rover#s to be launched by JPL are to examine polar regions where temperatures are extremely low and the absence of an earth-like atmosphere results in high levels of cosmic radiation at ground level. Cosmic rays lead to a plethora of radiation effects including Single Event Transients (SET) which can severely degrade microelectronic functionality. As such, a radiation-hardened, temperature compensated CMOS Single-On-Insulator (SOI) Operational Amplifier has been designed for JPL by the University of Tennessee and fabricated by Honeywell using the SOI V process. SOI technology has been shownto be far less sensitive to transient effects than both bulk and epilayer Si. Broad beam heavy-ion tests at the University of Texas A&M using Kr and Xebeams of energy 25MeV/amu were performed to ascertain the duration and severity of the SET for the op-amp configured for a low and high gain application. However, some ambiguity regarding the location of transient formation required the use of a focused MeV ion microbeam. A 36MeV O6(+) microbeam. the Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) was used to image and verify regions of particular concern. This is a viewgraph presentation

operational amplifier↗