NASA SBIR 02-1 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Teravicta Technologies, Inc.
2535 Brockton Drive, Suite 500
Austin , TX   78758 - 4411
(512 ) 684 - 8700

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Robert Miracky
miracky@teravicta.com
2535 Brockton Drive, Suite 500
Austin , TX   78758 - 4411
(512 ) 684 - 8700

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
We propose to design, model and characterize a novel, packaged four-bit Ka-band (26.5 GHz) phase shifter employing ultra-low-loss ohmic contact RF MEMS switches. The novelty of this project lies in its use of an innovative package design, wherein the phase shifter is fabricated monolithically with the package underside, yielding an ultra-small surface-mountable device. This leads to a reliable, high bandwidth component. Target specifications for the packaged phase shifter chip are: 3.2 dB average insertion loss, 33 dBm continuous RF power handling, and <10 microseconds switching time. The result of this six-month Phase I project will be a proven design supported by modeling and characterization results, pointing the way to high-yield fabrication and assembly of actual packaged phase shifter chips for an antenna beam steering demonstration in Phase II. Topic E2.04 specifically identifies "low loss MEMS based RF switches" under Component Technology required products.

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
- Broadband wireless access

- Wireless local area network backbones

- Telematics

POTENTIAL NASA APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
A low-loss, packaged Ka-band phase shifter is a key component for space communications using phased array antennas. Uses of phased array antennas include: multi-platform data relay, high rate satellite-to-satellite communications in support of sensor webs, and transmission of large data volumes from space to ground