Events Calendar

Integrated Systems Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr. Kris Merkel, President/CEO of S2 Corporation

Talk Title: Sustainable Ultra-Wideband Radio Frequency Signal Analysis Using Spatial-Spectral Holography

Abstract: I will cover the basics of the interaction of coherent light with cryogenically cooled rare earth doped crystal absorbers, and how this science has evolved as a basis for an emerging technology known as spatial-spectral (S2) holography. I will also comment on performing R&D in a commercial small business setting that has been funded primarily by the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program.
The core S2 technology has its roots in the coherent interaction of light with matter, and can combines frequency resolution with angular phase resolution similar to spatial holography. Signal processing functions of spectral analysis, direction finding, correlative signal processing and true time delay will be discussed. The general technical approach to an ultra wideband RF receiver is based on recording and subsequent readout of optical energy that is modulated to represents RF frequencies via conversion by an electro-optical phase modulator (EOPM). The modulated light is absorbed by the holographic crystal. The S2 sensor performs physical phase sensitive Fourier transforms and multiplication of Fourier transforms. These transforms are stored in atomic upper states, and then can be probed or readout by a secondary light source.
A current hardware configuration can support 100% time-continuous coverage for 20 GHz instantaneous bandwidth (IBW) measurements with ~400 kHz resolution bandwidth (RBW), and a full 20 GHz bandwidth readout every 0.5 ms. A spur free dynamic range of 50 dB is observed for these measurements. Other approaches can provide variations on these specifications.


Biography: Dr. Kris Merkel is the President/CEO of S2 Corporation. Dr. Merkel has focused his 15 years of experience on the development and application of S2 technology relative to radar, laser radar, electronic surveillance and true time delay beam-forming systems. Dr. Merkel has overseen the successful execution of several contracts and grant with milestones met within cost. He received his Bachelor of Physics from Georgetown University (1994) and his Masters (1996) and Ph.D (1998) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. Dr. Merkel is a recognized world leader in the development of S2 systems, and is an inventor on 10 patents and patents pending. Dr. Merkel has unique capabilities related to a combination of project management and technical expertise for systems development efforts. He has over 25 publications in referred journals and conference proceedings.

Host: Prof. Hossein Hashemi and Firooz Aflatouni

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Hossein Hashemi