Hung D. Nguyen, Gynelle C. Steele, and Jessica R. Morris

Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio

An Overview of 2014 SBIR Phase I and Phase II

Communications Technology and Development

NASA/TM—2015-218904

December 2015
NASA STI Program . . . in Profi le

Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated 

to the advancement of aeronautics and space science. 

The NASA Scientifi c and Technical Information (STI) 

Program plays a key part in helping NASA maintain 

this important role.

The NASA STI Program operates under the auspices 

of the Agency Chief Information Offi cer. It collects, 

organizes, provides for archiving, and disseminates 

NASA’s STI. The NASA STI Program provides access 

to the NASA Technical Report Server—Registered 

(NTRS Reg) and NASA Technical Report Server—

Public (NTRS) thus providing one of the largest 

collections of aeronautical and space science STI in 

the world. Results are published in both non-NASA 

channels and by NASA in the NASA STI Report 

Series, which includes the following report types:

• TECHNICAL PUBLICATION. Reports of 

completed research or a major signifi cant phase 

of research that present the results of NASA 

programs and include extensive data or theoretical 

analysis. Includes compilations of signifi cant 

scientifi c and technical data and information 

deemed to be of continuing reference value. 

NASA counter-part of peer-reviewed formal 

professional papers, but has less stringent 

limitations on manuscript length and extent of 

graphic presentations.

• TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM. Scientifi c 

and technical fi ndings that are preliminary or of 

specialized interest, e.g., “quick-release” reports, 

working papers, and bibliographies that contain 

minimal annotation. Does not contain extensive 

analysis.

• CONTRACTOR REPORT. Scientifi c and 

technical fi ndings by NASA-sponsored 

contractors and grantees.

• CONFERENCE PUBLICATION. Collected 

papers from scientifi c and technical 

conferences, symposia, seminars, or other 

meetings sponsored or co-sponsored by NASA.

• SPECIAL PUBLICATION. Scientifi c, 

technical, or historical information from 

NASA programs, projects, and missions, often 

concerned with subjects having substantial 

public interest.

• TECHNICAL TRANSLATION. Englishlanguage translations of foreign scientifi c and 

technical material pertinent to NASA’s mission.

For more information about the NASA STI 

program, see the following:

• Access the NASA STI program home page at 

http://www.sti.nasa.gov

• E-mail your question to help@sti.nasa.gov

• Fax your question to the NASA STI 

Information Desk at 757-864-6500

• Telephone the NASA STI Information Desk at

 757-864-9658

• Write to:

NASA STI Program

 Mail Stop 148

 NASA Langley Research Center

 Hampton, VA 23681-2199
Hung D. Nguyen, Gynelle C. Steele, and Jessica R. Morris

Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio

An Overview of 2014 SBIR Phase I and Phase II

Communications Technology and Development

NASA/TM—2015-218904

December 2015

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Glenn Research Center

Cleveland, Ohio 44135
Available from

Level of Review: This material has been technically reviewed by technical management. 

NASA STI Program

Mail Stop 148

NASA Langley Research Center

Hampton, VA 23681-2199

National Technical Information Service

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfi eld, VA 22161

703-605-6000

This report is available in electronic form at http://www.sti.nasa.gov/ and http://ntrs.nasa.gov/
Contents 

Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 1

The Compact Hyperspectral Aberration-Corrected Platform (CHAP) .................................................. 3

Integrated Spacecraft Navigation and Communication Using Radio, Optical, and X-rays ................... 4

Chemical Microsensor Instrument for UAV Airborne Atmospheric Measurements ............................. 5

Fully Printed Flexible 4-bit 2D (4x4) 16-Element Graphene-Based Phased Array Antenna System .... 6

Interferometric Star Tracker ................................................................................................................... 7

An Ultralow Power Fast-Response Nano-TCD CH4 Sensor ................................................................. 8

Finite Internal Temperature Slide for Use with Colloid Experiments .................................................... 9

Measurement of Trace Gases in the Atmosphere of Venus ................................................................. 10

NASA/TM—2015-218904 iii

An Overview of 2014 SBIR Phase I and Phase II 

Communications Technology and Development 

Hung D. Nguyen, Gynelle C. Steele, and Jessica R. Morris1

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Glenn Research Center 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135 

Abstract 

NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program focuses on technological innovation 

by investing in development of innovative concepts and technologies to help NASA mission directorates 

address critical research needs for Agency programs. 

This report highlights eight of the innovative SBIR 2014 Phase I and Phase II projects that emphasize 

one of NASA Glenn Research Center’s six core competencies—Communication Technology and 

Development. The technologies cover a wide spectrum of applications such as X-ray navigation, 

microsensor instrument for unmanned aerial vehicle airborne atmospheric measurements, 16-element 

graphene-based phased array antenna system, interferometric star tracker, ultralow power fast-response 

sensor, and integrated spacecraft navigation and communication. Each featured technology describes an 

innovation, technical objective, and highlights NASA commercial and industrial applications. 

This report provides an opportunity for NASA engineers, researchers, and program managers to learn 

how NASA SBIR technologies could help their programs and projects, and lead to collaborations and 

partnerships between the small SBIR companies and NASA that would benefit both SBIR. 

                                                            

1

 Lewis’ Educational and Research Collaborative Internship Project (LERCIP). 

NASA/TM—2015-218904 1

The Compact Hyperspectral 

Aberration-Corrected Platform 

(CHAP)

An Instrument for Microspacecraft

.Minimizing the mass and power of an instrument reduce the size, complexity 

and therefore the mission cost. To enable more capable missions without high 

cost we propose to develop a hyperspectral/multispectral imager designed for a 

microsatellite platform that will function in a reduced light environment while 

minimizing the mass and power consumption. This type of instrument is crucial 

to the study of small bodies such as near earth asteroids and for missions further 

afield by maximizing capability while minimizing the instrumental cost and 

complexity. The Compact Hyperspectral Aberration-corrected Platform (CHAP) 

is proposed as a new, innovative instrument using an aberration-correcting 

holographic grating to make maximal use of two optical components. The 

optical design of CHAP produces a white light zeroth order image from 

undiffracted light to be formed at the telescope focus, enabling the coregistration of spatial and spectral information, providing unprecedented context 

never before seen in an instrument for planetary and lunar science low-light 

observation.

Applications

NASA

► Earth observations that require 

hyperspectral imaging, such as:

o Water health

o Deforestation

o Carbon emission 

monitoring

Commercial

► Monitoring of tropical rainforests for 

climate change effects

► Agriculture varietal and health mapping

► Detection of hydrocarbon seepages 

and pipeline leakages

► Environmental clean-up and 

contamination mapping

► Mining, oil and gas resource exploration

► Mining pollution monitoring

Phase II Objectives

► Build of a flight ready CHAP 

hyperspectral imager

► Instrument calibration and data 

analysis system development

► Flight qualification of the optical bench 

and mounting systems

Benefits

► High spectral resolution in a compact 

package

► Simple two optic solution that is highly

scalable and reconfigurable in spatial 

scales or wavelengths observed

► Low cost unit cost after NRE

► Suitable for space flight

Firm Contact

Chris Lewicki

Planetary Resources Development Corporation

6742 185TH AVE North East

Redmond, WA, 98052-6714

PHONE: (425) 336-2448

FAX: (425) 336-2439 

Proposal number: S1.06-8683

NASA/TM—2015-218904 3
Integrated Spacecraft Navigation 

and Communication Using Radio, 

Optical, and X- rays 

Novel enabling technology for Earth orbit and interplanetary 

navigation 

This program proposes to design and evaluate novel technology of X-ray 

navigation for augmentation and increased capability of high data-rate 

spacecraft communications. NASA's current concept for an integrated radio and 

optical communications (iROC) system is being developed to provide 

communication technology that does not constrain the science yield of their 

deep space missions. iROC requirements include accurate navigation and 

pointing solutions so that narrow optical beams are precisely transmitted directly 

to their Earth-based reception stations. X-ray source techniques and methods 

have been successfully demonstrated to determine independent position and 

attitude solutions for deep space vehicles. Therefore, ASTER Labs proposes to 

integrate the X-ray sensors directly into the iROC concept, such that the 

combined radio, optical, and X-ray system, referred to as iROX, can operate 

over a wide variety of applications and missions, increasing NASA's capability 

to explore the solar system.

Applications

NASA

► Accurate deep space navigation 

and attitude

► High-rate data deep-space 

communication

► High definition video transmissions

► Advanced X-ray transmitters and 

detectors

► Accurate relative navigation for 

formation flying 

Commercial

► High-data rate communication for DoD 

and commercial telecommunication 

satellites

► Improved detectors for manufacturing, 

production, and inspection 

► Enhanced X-ray pulse generators and 

detectors for medical and diagnostic 

imaging 

► Communication technology for re-entry 

and hypersonic communications during 

RF-blackout 

Phase II Objectives

► Evaluate the integrated system

► Design a prototype detector system that 

augments the existing iROC concept

► Evaluate the performance of the 

integrated iROX system

► Identify the feasibility and capability of 

such a system based upon the design 

architecture

Benefits

► Increased capability of high data-rate 

spacecraft communications, including: 

o High-resolution observations

o Inter-satellite communications

o Interplanetary video

o Health and status monitoring 

data

► Relative navigation between vehicles to 

maintain accurate formations 

► Independent navigation capability 

reduces DSN workload

Firm Contact

Suneel Sheikh

ASTER Labs, Inc.

155 East Owasso Lane

Shoreview, MN, 55126-3034

PHONE: (651) 484-2084

FAX: (651) 484-2085

Proposal number: H9.05-9729

NASA/TM—2015-218904 4
Chemical Microsensor Instrument for 

UAV Airborne Atmospheric 

Measurements 

Real-time measurements of trace gases 

Chemical species mapping using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) enables 

model validation and attaining data that augments traditional aerial and satellite 

data. However, there are limited options adapting commercial chemical sensors 

for species and ranges of interest. Wet electrochemical cells are slow (30-60 s), 

sensitive to pressure changes, and a potential hazard from leakage. Most 

commercial CO2 monitors are based on NDIR, with response time in the order 

of minutes. Hydrocarbons are monitored by generic combustible gas sensors. 

Makel Engineering is developing an Airborne Chemical Microsensor System 

suitable for real-time, UAV-based measurements of trace CO2, SOX, and CH4. 

The instrument adapts low cost, low power microsensor technology 

demonstrated for fire detection and emissions monitoring to airborne 

measurements. The lightweight, fast response, robust instrument is suitable for a 

wide range of platforms including aerostats (balloons, kites) and UAVs (Dragon 

Eye, SIERRA).

Applications

NASA

► Study of volcanoes to validate 

atmospheric models to gain new 

insight into mechanisms

► Assist NASA’s work studying 

volcanic activity such as tracking 

volcano emissions 

Commercial

► Air quality monitoring by air quality 

management districts

► Remote monitoring of gas leaks in 

pipelines

► Remote monitoring of chemical process 

plants, enabling fast response to 

accidental chemical releases 

► Monitoring equipment on aerostats or 

UAV to enable improved air quality 

forecasts and emissions compliance 

Phase II Objectives

► Develop a design of a flyable multisensor system

► Fabricate the prototype systems

► Demonstrate prototypes in a wide 

range of flight conditions 

Benefits

► Real-time UAV-based measurements 

of multiple gases

► Low cost

► Low power

► Lightweight

► Fast response

► Suitable for a wide range of platforms 

Firm Contact

Darby Makel

Makel Engineering, Inc.

1585 Marauder Street

Chico, CA, 95973-9064

PHONE: (530) 895-2770

FAX: (530) 895-2777

Proposal number: S1.07-8813

NASA/TM—2015-218904 5
Fully Printed Flexible 4-bit 2D (4x4) 

16-Element Graphene-Based 

Phased Array Antenna System

Antennas with superior electronic, optical, mechanical, and 

thermal properties

Low-cost, high gain, light-weight, and flexible active antenna systems are highly 

desired for the Asteroid Redirect Mission and human expedition to Mars and 

beyond. In this program, we propose to develop a fully flexible ink-jet printed 

monolithic graphene-based high frequency PAA communication system. The 

superior electronic, optical, mechanical, and thermal properties offered by 

graphene is expected to significantly enhance the system features compared to 

the state-o f-the-art flexible antenna systems, with operating frequency in excess 

of 100GHz expected. Flexible electronically steerable antenna will be useful for 

small spacecraft to TDRS and other GEO relay satellites links, next generation 

space launch systems, and human exploration vehicles.

Applications

NASA

► Autonomous communication 

systems

► Deployable and 

conformal/wearable active 

antennas

► Reconfigurable antennas

► Large inflatable PAA

Commercial

► RF identification tags

► Smart cards

► Electronic pagers

► Large area flat panel displays and 

lighting

► Large area solar cells and batteries

► Sensors

► Thin-film transistor circuits

► Communication systems

Phase II Objectives

► Develop the fully printable integrated 

circuit technology and multi-layer 

printing and interconnection 

technology on flexible substrates

► Develop the T/R module including 

phase shifters and amplifiers

► Develop a prototype of the fully printed 

PAA and perform reliability tests

► Investigate the scalability of system 

manufacturing using a R2R process 

Benefits

► Superior electronic, optical, 

mechanical, and thermal properties 

► Enhanced system features from 

current flexible antenna systems

► High operating frequencies

Firm Contact

Gloria Chen

Omega Optics, Inc.

8500 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Building 4, 

Suite 200

Austin, TX, 78757-7591

PHONE: (512) 996-8833

FAX: (512) 873-7744

Proposal number: T5.01-9895

NASA/TM—2015-218904 6
Interferometric Star Tracker 

A deep space lasercom beam pointing application 

Laser communications (Lasercom) technology offers the promise of much 

higher rate data exchanges while reducing the size and weight of the 

telecommunications package for deep space missions. This improved system 

performance is due primarily to the narrow transmit signal beamwidth at the 

optical wavelength. The problem of pointing a laser signal can in general be 

decomposed into the problems of (i) stabilizing the optical line of sight and (ii) 

providing the appropriate pointing reference to the receiver location. Optical 

Physics Company (OPC) has adapted the precision interferometric star tracker it 

is currently developing under several DoD contracts for deep space lasercom 

beam pointing applications. The OPC interferometric star tracker can also be 

used to provide precise attitude measurements to the spacecraft for navigation 

and orbit determination purposes. The current concept for the beam pointing is 

for a star tracker to be mounted opposite to the downlink beam boresight. 

Applications

NASA

► Star trackers for spacecraft 

► GPS denied navigation for armed 

forces 

► Enhanced value of deep space 

probe missions through greater 

data collection and faster data 

return 

Commercial

► Secure lasercom to non-transmitting 

locations

Phase II Objectives

► Develop and demonstrate an 

interferometric star tracker for the deep 

space beam pointing application

► Reduce the size and weight of the 

telecommunications package for deep 

space missions

► Code the software modules that will 

become the real-time processing

► Assemble and install the software 

when the processors are ready

► Calibrate and integrate the star tracker 

into the structure 

► Lab test the star tracker to verify 

accurate lasercom boresighting 

Benefits

► Efficient delivery of the transmit signal 

to the receiver

► Precise attitude measurements to the 

spacecraft for navigation and orbit 

determination purposes

► For outer planet missions, the sun will 

almost always be away from the 

tracker, thus allowing the tracker to 

have a direct view of the sky

► Recovers lost data rate from previous 

larger laser beams 

Firm Contact

Arthur Stanley

Optical Physics Company

26610 Agoura Road

Calabasas, CA, 91302-3857

PHONE: (818) 880-2907

FAX: (818) 880-2907

Proposal number: H9.05-9570

NASA/TM—2015-218904 7
An Ultralow Power Fast-Response 

Nano-TCD CH4 Sensor 

For UAV Airborne Measurements

In this project, KWJ proposes to develop a low power, fast response, lightweight 

miniature CH4 measurement system based on KWJ nano-TCD sensor for 

airborne measurement operation. KWJ has developed patented sub-1⁄2m 

dimension TCDs, with ultra-low power consumption, fast response time, very 

high stability, all coupled with simple electronic circuits and algorithms. In 

Phase I, KWJ will fabricate nano-TCD CH4 sensor, improve the sensitivity such 

that 5ppm accuracy will be obtained, and characterize the sensor on a bench-top 

testing system to demonstrate CH4 detection with all target specifications. In 

Phase II, the prototype sensing system will be built and integrated with NASA 

UAVs for field testing. The proposed sensor will be ideal for airborne gas 

surveys. This work has synergy within NASA and can collaborate with ongoing 

NASA SiC sensor developments in Phase II.

Applications

NASA

► Support for NASA's airborne 

science missions

► Accurately map the spatial and 

temporal distribution of CH4 in 

atmosphere using unmanned 

aircraft

► Other gas detection for NASA's 

earth and space applications

Commercial

► Low cost long lifetime gas detection, 

including: 

o Home CH4 alarms

o Pipeline monitors and 

fenceline monitors

o Leak detectors in the rapidly 

growing oil and gas "fracking" 

industry

Phase II Objectives

► Demonstrate the feasibility of the 

nano- TCD based CH4 measurement 

system, measured against target 

specifications

► Design, optimize and fabricate nanoTCD sensor platform for CH4 sensing

► Optimize the sensitivity of the 

CH4 sensor

Characterize the nano-TCD 

CH4 sensor and demonstrate 

CH4 sensing

Benefits

► A more cost effective alternative 

sensor 

► Has a wide range of applications

► Low Power

► Fast response

► Small Size

Firm Contact

Edward Stetter

KWJ Engineering Incorporated

8430 Central Avenue Suite 2D

Newark, CA, 94560-3453

PHONE: (510) 405-5911

FAX: (510) 405-5912

Proposal number: S1.07-8865

NASA/TM—2015-218904 8
Finite Internal Temperature Slide for 

Use with Colloid Experiments 

Hollow microscope slide capable of taking temperature 

measurements without significant optical interference

The Light Microscopy Module (LMM), developed and managed by NASA 

Glenn Research Center (GRC), is producing fascinating results. LMM will yield 

even more astonishing results with the addition of enhancing subsystems. 

Techshot proposes development of a Finite Internal Temperature Slide (FITS) 

— a hollow microscope slide capable of taking temperature measurements of a 

sample along the length of a slide without significant optical interference. 

Additionally this technology will apply heating to the sample by passing a 

current through the resistive path used for temperature measurement. This 

allows for more accurate, varied and controlled temperature gradients to be 

applied across a sample volume while maintaining optical clarity. FITS is a 

direct result of a need expressed by current NASA funded Principal 

Investigators who intend to use the LMM for experiments in which temperature, 

and/or temperature gradients, must be precisely controlled.

Applications

NASA

► Improved capabilities for the Light 

Microscopy Module when coupled 

with FITS

► Processing for large quantities of 

high-value materials for NASA 

Commercial

► Lease FITS flight hardware to 

commercial entities for their use in 

conducting advanced scientific 

research and processing in space

► Procter & Gamble has interest in using

Techshot technologies such as FITS to 

advance several of their consumer 

products by learning more about how 

materials behave in microgravity

Phase II Objectives

► Define design requirements

► Design FITS module

► Build and test technology demonstrators 

► Identify applicable design requirements 

by canvassing a representative list of 

realistic users, identifying user 

requirements, characterizing interfaces 

with the LMM, and writing and reviewing 

requirements document

► Design FITS Module by investigating 

technical feasibility, developing 

preliminary circuity design, and 

developing a preliminary system software 

architecture 

► Develop a functional demonstrator by 

documenting each FITS module design, 

selecting the best suited fabrication 

method, and fabricating and assembling 

each FITS module 

► Test the technology demonstrator 

Benefits

► Capable of taking temperature 

measurements of a sample without 

significant optical interference 

► More accurate, varied and controlled 

temperature gradients can be applied 

across a sample volume while 

maintaining optical clarity

Firm Contact

Rich Boling

Techshot, Inc.

rboling@techshot.com

7200 Highway 150

Greenville, IN, 47124-9515

PHONE: (812) 728-8136

FAX: (812) 923-9598

Proposal number: H10.02-8884

NASA/TM—2015-218904 9
Measurement of Trace Gases in the 

Atmosphere of Venus

Using in-situ balloon-borne measurements 

Southwest Sciences proposes to develop small, lightweight, low power 

instrumentation for the in situ balloon-borne measurement of several trace gases 

of importance in the atmosphere of Venus. Using low power vertical cavity 

diode lasers (VCSELs) at carefully selected wavelengths in the 2400 nm region, 

the instrument will be capable of simultaneous measurements of carbon 

monoxide, water vapor, hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl sulfide, and possibly sulfur 

dioxide. The Phase I effort will concentrate on identifying the best wavelength 

regions for measurement of multiple trace species with a minimum number of 

lasers (ideally no more than two), while establishing important design 

parameters for development of more rugged prototype instrumentation in Phase 

II.

Applications

NASA

► Instrumentation for direct use by 

NASA in planetary measurements, 

particularly atmospheric 

measurements of Venus 

► Measurements of other 

atmospheres, including Titan or 

Mars

► Environmental monitoring onboard manned spacecraft 

Commercial

► Industrial process monitoring

► Atmospheric chemistry and 

environmental monitoring

► Workplace safety monitoring 

► Medical diagnostic applications 

Phase I Objectives

► Identify optimal spectral regions for 

measuring several trace gases 

► Assemble a Phase I laboratory 

prototype instrument to be used for 

near-infrared measurement of several 

of the trace gases 

► Establish expected detection limits for 

the gases 

► Estimate the expected design 

parameters for a small, low power 

instrument targeting in situ 

measurement of trace gases in the 

Venus atmosphere 

► Identify the size, weight, and power 

requirements as well as its expected 

measurement capabilities 

Benefits

► Small and lightweight

► Low power requirements 

► Measures gases of importance in 

atmosphere of Venus 

► Simultaneously measures multiple 

gases 

Firm Contact

Alan C Stanton

astanton@swsciences.com

1570 Pacheco Street, Suite E-11

Santa Fe, NM 87505 - 3993

(505) 984-1322

Proposal number: S1.06-9680

NASA/TM—2015-218904 10