The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
Vanishingly Small Systems
Draper has been successfully creating systems based on our multichip module (MCM) electronics technology. Working with our sponsors to address their emerging challenges, we continue to develop new methods for further miniaturizing not only the electronics, but the overall system itself, including sensing, power, storage, and antenna components.
Our integrated ultrahigh-density (i-UHD) packaging technology has demonstrated a 20x electronics volume reduction over our MCM technology while improving the number of materials and functions that can be integrated through an automated silicon fabrication technique, compressive signal-processing algorithms are reducing the processing and memory capacity needed to collect and process sensing data, and we are working with various universities to improve power conservation and battery storage.
Draper’s unique approaches to antenna technology, including improvements to patch antenna efficiency and early stage research into liquid-RF antennas, will enable significant improvements in signal reception and transmission. As we continue to approach the physical limits associated with “vanishingly small systems,” we work closely with sponsors very early in the development process to understand the true needs and goals of the system and apply our expertise and innovative capabilities to create novel, robust, and reliable solutions. We also transition these designs into operation for our sponsors by producing the low volumes required for the specialized missions that they require.
