Project Title:
Fiber-optic readout of superconducting A/D converter.
94-1 08.07 1190 A
Fiber-optic readout of superconducting A/D converter.
Abstract:
The interconnections needed to read electrical data from infrared
focal plane arrays present a thermal load to the array module, with
the wires acting as thermal leaks. Satellites using on-board cryo-
coolers need substantial power to maintain the cryogenic
environment. For satellites sent into orbit carrying a finite
amount of liquid helium, the mission life is effectively over when
this supply runs out. Therefore, it is mandatory to look for
alternative methods to couple data from the 'cooled' array to the 'warmer'
environment of the satellite. The use of optical fiber links between sensors
and data transmission electronics can substantially reduce the heat load by
transmitting data from the sensor environment via low thermal conductivity
optical fiber. HYPRES is pleased to present a program to demonstrate the use
of optical fiber links to read data from a superconducting analog to digital
(A/D) converter. This technique is based upon the the use of laser diodes
operating at cryogenic temperatures with greatly reduced power requirements.
In Phase I we will demonstrate the operation of a superconducting A/D
converter coupled to an optical readout link.
This program will lead to the development of electronic sytems suitable for
use on satellite infrared focal plane array readouts, permitting longer
mission lifetimes. The application of cryogenic/room temperature optical
links to superconducting circuitry can lead to potential commercial
applications including superconducting/optical ATM (asynchronous transfer
mode) network switch nodes directly compatible with fiber optic networks,
ultra-fast memory modules, and optical interconnects for massively paralled
processors.
Key Words
HYPRES, Inc.
175 Clearbrook Road
Elmsford, New York 10523