TUCSON, Ariz.--August 16, 2012 -- Ridgetop Group, Inc. (Ridgetop) announced that it has been awarded two Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II contracts from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to design high performance, radiation-hard analog to digital converter (ADC) integrated circuits (ICs). ADCs are used to convert low-level analog signals to digital format compatible with computers for further digital signal processing and enhancement. The contracts are valued at $2 million and extend over a two-year period.
In recent years, Ridgetop has emerged as the technology leader in the development of high performance ICs that can function in harsh radiation environments, as well as tools to facilitate device characterization and shielding for these complex systems. Without radiation hardening, the ADCs will degrade and eventually fail from exposure to radiation found in certain environments. In the DOE applications, the ADCs will process signals from sensitive detectors within instrumentation clusters, and support critical experiments using particle accelerators. Physicists and engineers use particle accelerators to conduct fundamental research. Other applications for the ADCs that Ridgetop will design can be found in space satellite systems and critical weapons systems where radiation effects need to be mitigated.
According to Doug Goodman, Ridgetop’s CEO, “We are very pleased to address the requirements of DOE on these important programs. Our team of engineers and scientists has a proven track record of accomplishment in this area and we are confident we will raise the bar in ADC performance. Upon completion of these programs, our commercialization plans involve adding these high performance components to our growing line of tools addressing the rad-hard market.â€
About Ridgetop Group, Inc.
Ridgetop Group, founded in 2000, provides products and services to customers through two operating divisions: Advanced Diagnostics and Prognostics (ADP) and Semiconductor and Precision Instruments (SPI). The SPI division provides tools and microelectronic solutions for harsh, radiation-prone environments. In addition to the DOE, Ridgetop’s customers include a wide range of government and commercial organizations worldwide.
For further information, please visit our website at www.ridgetopgroup.com or contact information@ridgetopgroup.com.