Nuvotronics, LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N161-031

Description

Nuvotronics offers an improved manufacturing method for power combiners with improved efficiency performance, which will be cost-competitive with existing designs from S-band through Q band. The technology can have broad applications in Navy radar and electronic warfare systems that require solid-state power-combined amplifiers with power levels to hundreds of watts. We will streamline our exclusive PolyStrata microfabrication process to batch-manufacture affordable 3D couplers using plated copper on low cost substrates. Couplers developed during this program will be fully compatible with automated module assembly, require no critical wire-bond geometries, and be held to micron tolerances that will improve repeatability. Next generation radar and EW systems will benefit from this technology by enabling more affordable and efficient solutions. <br><br>Data from test articles in the Phase I study will be compared to benchmarks set by couplers used by our transition partner to underscore improved performance parameters and prepare our path toward point solutions in Phase II, enabling rapid transition to programs of record.