The Plasma Wave Advanced Receiver

We propose to design and build a prototype, radiation-tolerant, scientific instrument using ultra-low-power (ULP) electronic devices. The instrument that we have chosen to demonstrate this revolutionary technology is a plasma wave receiver, because it is one of the most demanding applications of electronic in space. These measurements require very low level signals, high-gain amplification stages, a large dynamic range, tight restrictions on inter-channel cross-talk, huge input data rates and intense computer processing. Because of these demands, present plasma wave instruments consume large amounts of scarce spacecraft resources such as mass, volume, power and telemetry rate.

This instrument, named the Plasma Wave Advanced Receiver (PARX), will have many times more capability than previous receivers to measure and spectrum analyze the waves, but it will require much less resources from the host spacecraft. It will be one order of magnitude smaller, lighter, and more power efficient than any previous designs. PARX will also include significant innovations in digital data compression with fast, on-board processing to reduce the output telemetry rate below that of previous experiments. The PARX instrument fulfills one of the key capability requirements for two of the campaigns in the NASA Sun-Earth Connection Roadmap.

The use of ULP technology will eliminate a significant technical obstacle to future NASA programs involving small spacecraft. Only a small amount of electrical power for the subsystems and the scientific instruments is available on a small satellite. ULP test circuits consume 50-100 times less power than conventional low-power CMOS electronics will exceeding present levels of performance. To date ULP devices have been used only for research purposes. Their integration into the PARX instrument will be their first application in a functioning system. The PARX project will enable the space community to take advantage of these advanced devices for all satellites and launch vehicles. Example applications of ULP technology are given for both Earth Science and Space Science missions.

An educational/public outreach (E/PO) project is also proposed by the Aerospace Corporation to supplement the PARX developmental effort.

The Plasma Wave Advanced Receiver (PARX)