Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: MDA14-007

Description

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a novel, two dimensional ambient radio frequency (RF) field integrated circuit-based sensor (TARDIS) to measure the ambient RF field around the device. Based on novel fully depleted (FD) thin-film silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, TARDIS offers high temperature and micropower operation. Implemented with double-gate (DG) split drain/source (SDS) magnetic field-effect transistor (MAGFET) for magnetic field detection, TARDIS yields high sensitivity to magnetic field perturbation while consuming <1 microwatt of electrical power. The key innovation in TARDIS is complementary use of DG SDS MAGFET magnetic sensing technology coupled with on-chip all-metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) current-to-frequency converter post-processing that generates accurate frequency output linearly proportional to frequency component of the measured magnetic field. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate TARDISs feasibility by research, design, and development of a prototype architecture, delivering SPICE models of the proposed sensor and an initial design with estimates of the sensitivity and power draw for the sensor, a planned manufacturing flow for the sensor die, and a breadboard implementation of the sensor. In Phase II, a sufficient maturity level will be reached to demonstrate TARDISs capability. Approved for Public Release 14-MDA-8047 (14 Nov 14)