Technologies
Nu-Trek designs cutting edge analog intensive, mixed signal application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and develops innovative solid-state radiation detectors. We are active in all areas of mixed signal design and are best known for our rad-hard parts and pioneering work in low power analog to digital converters (ADCs).
Nu-Trek is developing two ultra low power analog to digital converters, Mercury and Jupiter. Both ADCs have 14 bits. Power at 20 MSPS is between 2-4 mW, which is ~ 1/10 the power consumption of commercial off the shelf (COTS) parts.
Key technologies and application areas include:
- Data Conversion:
- Ultra Low Power Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs): Two ultra-low power 14-bit ADCs are under development. Power consumption is ~ 1/10 of commercial parts that are presently on the market. ADCs target imager applications.
- Imager Readouts: The ultra low power ADCs are combined with signal processing to provide an entire analog front end. Parts targeting focal plane arrays and CCD imagers are under development.
- RF Applications:
- High Linearity, High Dynamic Range RF Receivers: Monolithic chip is under development to enable operation of GPS receivers in the presence of jamming sources. Very enabling in the context of hand-held applications and GPS guided munitions, in which a compact design is of the essence.
- Clock Synchronization: A chipset that will synchronize a large number of clocks to ps resolution is under development. A standing wave approach is used to keep the clocks synchronized. Most suitable to backplane applications.
- Radiation Detectors:
- Ionizing Radiation Detectors: In addition to the Monolithic Nuclear Event Detectors that uses process transistors to detect nuclear event gammas, Nu-Trek also developed ultra fast GaAs photoconductive detectors (PCDs) with 30 ps response times, as well as compact readout circuits for solid-state dosimeters.
- Neutron Detectors: Nu-Trek is developing a solid-state neutron PIN diode that resembles a chocolate chip cookie. It is composed of a Si PIN diode (dough) and neutron converters (B or Li) that are interspersed within the Si PIN diode (chocolate chips).
- Capabilities:
- Rad-Hard By Design: Most of Nu-Trek's parts are rad-hard by design. Radiation hardness varies, depending on customer requirements. Both space and interceptor requirements can be met.
- Cryo Process Models: The Nu-Trek team can develop parts that have to operate at cryogenic temperatures, as well as the device models required to design the parts.
- Reconfigurable ASICs: Nu-Trek is working on a reconfigurable analog front end for imager applications. Part is an analog equivalent to a field programmable gate array will offer many options and endless reconfigurability.
