Innoflight, Inc. — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: S3

Description

nnoflight is uniquely qualified to develop a Ka-band software-defined radio (SDR) for balloon satellite relay communications supporting commercial SATCOM (including TDRSS) waveforms at an affordable price point.nbsp; The SDR will comply with Innoflightrsquo;s existing 82x82x25mm SDR form factor, and it will be suitable for airborne, upper atmospheric and ldquo;small spacerdquo; platforms.nbsp; At typical balloon attitudes, Innoflightrsquo;s innovative Ka-band SDR will aim to achieve 50 Mbps with a mechanically steered high gain antenna based on a maritime SATCOM system.nbsp;The significance of this innovation is the long awaited low price point for a TDRSS satellite relay radio at a highly efficient SWaP.nbsp; Innoflight is able to achieve this innovation through the combination of the following factors:nbsp; a) advanced modem design toolchain with pre-existing or in-progress modules/elements, b) optimized hardware implementation using the latest in System on Chip (SoC) technology, c) in-house RF front end hardware design and established RF Front End Modules (FEM), and d) turnkey manufacturing through an existing trusted supplier; ndash; all being guided by an overarching 13+ yearsrsquo; experience in researching, selecting, qualifying and managing the life cycle of the latest in COTS (both RF and general processing) device technology.