Through accurate signal sampling and timing, high-speed data transfer, and effective power management, TI semiconductors technology is enabling the satellite’s next-generation capabilities.
The recently launched NASA-Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) synthetic aperture radar (NISAR) satellite is using Texas Instruments (TI) semiconductors to enable its scientific exploration and radar imaging payloads.
The satellite’s launch marks the end of TI and ISRO’s ten-year collaboration to maximize the functionality of the electronic systems in charge of this Earth-observation mission.
NISAR is equipped with TI’s radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant products that enable designers to maximize power density, precision and performance in their satellite systems.
Engineering a first-of-its-kind satellite for Earth observation
NISAR, according to ISRO, is the first Earth-observation mission to employ dual-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, which allows the instrument to take accurate, high-resolution pictures in any weather conditions and at any time of day.
Through accurate signal sampling and timing, high-speed data transfer, and effective power management, TI Semiconductors technology is enabling the satellite’s next-generation capabilities.
By imaging the entire planet every 12 days, the NISAR satellite will help scientists better understand how Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, sea level rise, and groundwater levels are changing.
Additionally, the agencies anticipate that the data would enhance real-time monitoring of natural hazards like landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes.
Addressing complex design challenges with TI’s space-grade portfolio
Throughout the project life cycle, TI’s system expertise and space-grade semiconductors, which are designed to withstand the harshest space environments, helped enable the advanced S-band SAR capabilities of the NISAR mission.
The Company Provided:
- Radiation-hardened power management die for SAC-ISRO developed point-of-load hybrid power module, helping optimize size, weight and power for the mission payloads.
- Analog-to-digital converters with ultra-high sampling rates and high resolution, allowing the satellite payload to generate fine-grained, high resolution radar imagery.
- High-performance interface technology, which enables high-speed data transfer between different satellite subsystems to ensure reliable communication.
- A clocking solution that enables the precise time alignment and synchronous, coherent sampling required for high-precision SAR systems.
Leadership Comments
“From selecting the right products to ensuring consistent support across development cycles, TI’s technical expertise helped us navigate complex payload requirements,” said Shri Nilesh Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO. “A deeply coupled partnership, specifically focused on high-impact mixed signal and analog semiconductors, enabled ISRO to meet the system-level requirements for a satellite in low Earth orbit. Together, we achieved the space-grade performance standards needed for this important mission.”
“As the NISAR satellite is now in orbit, I reflect on the decade-long partnership that brought us here and how our teams are already looking to what’s next, developing new technologies that will enable future missions,” said Elizabeth Jansen, TI India’s sales and applications director. “Building on more than 60 years of expertise, TI’s radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant semiconductors are ready to meet the evolving demands of the space market. Our broad and reliable space-grade portfolio is ever-expanding and pushing the limits of what’s possible in the next frontier.”
For more information, read the company blog, “Out of this World: How Semiconductor Technology Enables Environmental Research from Space.”
To learn more about NISAR, see the NASA Jet Propulsion Labs and ISRO websites.
