Discovery Semiconductors Introduces New, Extended InGaAs Photodiodes and Photoreceivers for Space Qualified Applications

Discovery Semiconductors Inc., a leading supplier of optical receivers, test instruments and sub-systems, has introduced several new products using its Extended InGaAs Photodiode technology for a variety of space applications.  The devices are available in many configurations: Single Photodiodes, Balanced Photodiodes, and Amplified Optical Receivers, in different packages such as fiber coupled  butterfly modules having K or SMA connector, fiber coupled Surface Mount Technology (SMT) modules having no co-ax connectors, and free space TO-5 packages having broad anti-reflection coatings.

These devices have undergone extensive reliability and radiation testing to ensure proper functioning in space.  The company has successfully flown devices on NASA’s Materials International Space Experiment (MISSE) 9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and proved the device and packaging technology can withstand the rigors of space flight, as well as the re-entry from space to Earth.

Multiple space applications require these Extended InGaAs devices, including spectroscopy, optical communication links, and rapid Doppler shift LIDAR.  The packaged devices operate over a wide temperature range from extreme cryogenic up to +125 °C for special missions.  The available bandwidth of these devices vary from a few MHz to 10+ GHz.  The optical dynamic range may span from a few femto watts of optical input signal up to 50 mW, depending on the device configuration and application.  The devices have wavelength coverage from 800 nm to 2400 nm at 25 °C, and are well suited for both direct detection and coherent detection.

Data sheets are available enumerating the relevant specifications.  Please contact us to discuss how we may meet your application requirements.

Discovery Semiconductors, Inc. is an industry leader in manufacturing ultrafast, high optical power handling InGaAs photodetectors, RF over fiber optical receivers, balanced optical receivers, extended wavelength photodetectors, and several custom products for applications ranging from analog RF links to ultrafast digital communications. Since 1998, Discovery Semiconductors maintains a world class clean room facility for manufacturing high reliability products for telecom, datacom, avionics and aerospace applications. Discovery Semiconductors’ offers 20+ different Photodiodes and Photoreceivers for Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) space missions to LEO, GEO, Moon, Mars, and beyond, for applications such as Sensing, Optical Communications, RF Photonics, LIDAR, and Laser Interferometry. Honoree for 2020 and 2021 Military & Aerospace Electronics Innovators Award.

For additional information, including complete product specifications, operational capabilities and pricing, or to discuss your application in detail, please call Discovery at: (609) 434-1311 or fax: (609) 434-1317.