MICROSYSTEMS, INSTRUMENT ELECTRONICS, AND MOBILE SENSOR

PLATFORMS

G. W. Hunter(1), R. S. Okojie(2), L. Oberle(3), M. Krasowski(4), G. M. Beheim(5), G. Fralick(6), J. Wrbanek(7), P.

Greenberg(8), P. G. Neudeck(9), and J. Xu(10).

(1)
NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135, USA, Email:

[email protected]

(2)
Email: [email protected], (3)Email: [email protected],

(4)
Email:[email protected], (5)Email: [email protected],

(6)
Email: [email protected], (7)Email: [email protected],(8)Email: [email protected],

(9)
Email: [email protected], (10)Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT sors have also been developed for applications such as

fire detection, leak detection, EVA, and environmental
NASA Glenn Research Center is presently developing monitoring. These microsystems also have applications
and applying a range of sensor and electronic technolo­ in planetary exploration missions.
gies that can enable future planetary missions. These
include space qualified instruments and electronics, The purpose of this paper is to describe the various mi­
high temperature sensors for Venus missions, mobile crosystems, instrument electronics, high temperature
sensor platforms, and microsystems for detection of a sensors, and mobile sensor platforms available at NASA
range of chemical species and particulates. A discussion GRC and their possible application in planetary explo­
of each technology area and its level of maturity is ration applications.
given.
2. SPACE QUALIFIED ELECTRONICS
1. INTRODUCTION
NASA GRC has extensive experience in space qualified
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is presently de­ electronics integrated with instrument systems. The
veloping and applying a range of sensor and electronic focus of this group’s activity has been specialized in
technologies that, while initially developed for other choosing parts and designing space qualified electronics
applications, can enable future planetary missions. systems based on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)
NASA GRC has extensive experience in space qualified electronics and integrating these systems with a range of
electronics integrated with instrument systems. This instrumentation. These resulting electronics/instrument
experience ranges from the Material Adherence Ex­ units are stand-alone systems with appropriate inter­
periment (MAE), which flew on the Mars Pathfinder faces to be integrated with the rest of the flight system.
Sojourner in 1996, to the recent Materials International A standard design feature is the assurance that failure of
Space Station Experiment 5 (MISSE-5) Forward Tech­ the instrument unit does not affect operation of other
nology Solar Cell Experiment. World-leading develop­ experiments or systems. Other design issues vary with
ment in harsh environment sensors and electronics is the application, but include minimal power consump­
also on-going and uniquely positioned to contribute to tion and mass, as well as operation in space radiation
future Venus missions. While the high temperature environments. The following are examples of these
electronics capability is covered in another paper at this space qualified electronics systems and associated in­
conference [1], this paper discusses in more detail a strumentation whose development and operation span
wide range of Microsystems based sensor technology over a decade.
for in-situ Venus measurement applications. Mobile
sensor platforms are also being developed for sensor The Material Adherence Experiment (MAE) flew on the
placement, as well as methods for communicating be­ Mars Pathfinder Sojourner in 1996 and measured the
tween roving platforms and a central command location. effects of dust on the rover’s solar panel (Fig. 1). MAE,
This work leverages commercially available equipment composed both of electronics and a corresponding dust
to miniaturize existing sensor platforms and produce measuring instrument, functioned in the harsh thermal
mobile platforms that are compatible for planetary ex­ and radiation surface environment on Mars. The sensor
ploration. Finally, a range of Microsystems based sen­ saturated early in the mission during a secondary egress
attempt for the rover, but during the mission the elec­ chived on-board along with scheduled dumps to Earth
tronics continued to operate as required by mission pa­ receivers. It is designed to last for 2.4 years if its re­
rameters. moval EVA is delayed for any reason. FTSCE is com­
prised of the core electronics board and nine data acqui­
sition boards each displacing 75 cubic centimeters.
Each is capable of interrogating numerous sensors and
has been successfully sending data to Earth since its
insertion on Aug. 3, 2005. Neither data corruption nor
MAE interruption of operations has occurred despite high
radiation fluence from solar flare activity.

Fig. 1. The MAE circuit board and the location of the MAE on
the Pathfinder Sojourner solar panel.

The Mars Array Technology Experiment (MATE) and

Dust Accumulation and Removal Technology (DART)
experiment were designed and qualified for the 2001
Surveyor Lander Mars In-Situ Propellant Precursor mis­
sion (Fig. 2). MATE and DART had an array of instru­
ments for characterizing the solar and dust environment
on Mars. This included sun position sensors, two radi­
ometers, a microscope, visible and near infrared spec­
trometers, and a myriad of dust mitigation experiments.
While the mission was cancelled, the MATE and DART
design and qualification significantly broadened this Fig. 3. The FTSCE experiment container being installed on
group’s experience in electronics and instrument design the P6 solar panel strut on the ISS.
for planetary missions.
These activities demonstrate the capability to provide
space qualified electronics capable of interfacing with a
wide range of instrumentation. These space qualified
electronics have been designed, qualified, and, in some
cases, demonstrated operation in environments ranging
from in-space to planetary. The need for space qualified
electronics is prevalent across all planetary missions
and is a prerequisite of a successful operational system.
NASA GRC has the capability to provide such electron­
ics for planetary exploration consistently on-schedule
and on-budget.

3. HARSH ENVIRONMENT SENSOR

Fig. 2. The location of MATE and DART on the Mars Sur­ TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
veyor Lander
A range of sensor development applicable to Venus
Most recently, this group took the radiation tolerant missions is on-going at NASA GRC. While related high
microprocessor core from MATE and DART and pro­ temperature electronics work and application of sensors
duced the Materials International Space Station Ex­ and electronics to a Venus Integrated Weather Sensor
periment 5 (MISSE-5) Forward Technology Solar Cell (VIWS) System is described in another paper in the
Experiment (FTSCE) (Fig. 3). FTSCE is currently oper­ workshop [1], this paper provides details on the high
ating successfully while mounted external to the Inter­ temperature sensors which can provide measurements in
national Space Station, exposed to the Low Earth Or­ extreme environments. The sensor development in­
bital environment on a nominal one year mission. This cludes pressure sensors, thin film sensors, and chemical
system operates autonomously or as directed by ground sensors [2]. Each of these sensor types will be described
link from the U.S. Naval Research Labs. Data is ar­ in the subsections that follow.
 functionalities by the utilization of advanced SiC
3.1 High Temperature SiC Pressure Sensors MEMS Microsystems technology: a pressure sensor, an
anemometer, and a fully passivated resistance tem-
Conventional pressure sensors are temperature limited perature differential sensor. [5]
while SiC-based pressure sensors have a much wider
temperature range. They also have the added benefit 20
o
that high temperature SiC electronics can be integrated Vin = 5 V 25 C
18
Sensor # 29
with the sensor. However, the difficulty of micro- 16 Sensitivity: 36.60 μV/V/psi @ 25 C
o 100 C
o

machining SiC to form a well-defined diaphragm struc­ 20.50 μV/V/psi @ 400 C

o

N e t B r id g e O u t p u t ( m V )
o
14 200 C
ture, combined with the lack of reliable device packag­
o
ing for these operating environments, has largely pre­ 12 300 C
vented the application of these devices. Progress has 10 400 C
o

been made at NASA GRC in both SiC pressure sensor

8
micromachining and packaging [3]. A SiC sensor die
(2.1 x 2.1 mm2) is mounted on an aluminum nitride 6

(AlN) header (0.25 in. diameter) by the direct chip at­ 4

tach (DCA) method, as shown in Fig. 4, so that only the 2
sensor’s circular diaphragm is free to deflect in and out
0

of the reference cavity. The design significantly limits 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

the effect that stresses in the package can have on the Applied Pressure (psi)
sensor output.
Fig. 5. Net voltage as a function of pressure for vari­
ous temperatures. Solid and dashed plots represent
heating and cooling excursions, respectively.

3.2 Thin Film Physical Sensors

Glass sealed Sensor
gap NASA GRC has an in-house effort to develop thin film
AlN sensors for surface measurement in propulsion system
Reference research. The sensors include those for strain, tempera­
cavity
ture, heat flux, and surface flow which will enable criti­
Thermocouple cal vehicle health monitoring of future space and air
hole vehicles [6,7]. The current challenges of instrumenta­
tion technology are to further develop specialized sen­
Kovar tube
sor systems, further develop instrumentation techniques
on complex surfaces, improve sensor durability, and
Contact wire
address needs for higher temperature applications ex­
Fig. 4. Top and cross-sectional views of MEMS-DCA pack­ ceeding 1000 °C. The use of sensors made of thin films
age featuring direct wire contact to sensor and thermocouple has several advantages over wire or foil sensors. Thin
access hole for temperature compensation and calibration. film sensors do not require special machining of the
components on which they are mounted, and with
Fig. 5 shows the net bridge output and strain sensitivity thicknesses less than 10 µm, they are considerably thin­
for a typical SiC pressure sensor as a function of pres­ ner than wire or foils. Thin film sensors are thus much
sure at various temperatures. The data demonstrates the less disturbing to the operating environment, and have a
capabilities of the pressure sensor to withstand high minimal impact on the physical characteristics of the
temperatures with improved reliability. The sensor has supporting components. A broad array of thin film
an expanded temperature range beyond what is shown physical sensor technology is being developed.
in Fig. 5, up to 600oC [4]. These temperature ranges are
more than adequate for Venus applications. One area of development is a patented thin film
multifunctional sensor which integrates into one "smart"
The high temperature operation (600oC) of a SiC pres­ sensor the designs of individual gauges that measure
sure sensor and anemometer has been previously dem­ strain magnitudes and direction, heat flux, surface tem­
onstrated as separate discrete sensing devices [4]. On­ perature, flow speed and direction [8,9]. The entire
going research effort is geared towards integrating three gauge is microfabricated, enclosing a triangular area
approximately 1.5 cm on a side with 50-µm-wide fea­
tures, and is shown in Fig. 6. Designed for applications
in material systems and engine components testing, the
sensor can provide minimally intrusive characterization
of advanced propulsion materials and components in
hostile, high-temperature environments, validation of
propulsion system design codes, and experimental veri­
fication of computational models. Various prototypes of
the gauge have been bench tested on alumina substrates
[9]. Future testing will include measuring all of the pa­
rameters simultaneously on a component to be tested in
an engine environment. Thus, in one sensor system, a
range of physical parameters regarding the immediate
environment can be measured in Venus relevant envi­
ronments. Further, this microsensor system can provide
information on structural properties of the vehicle in the
harsh Venus environment.

Fig. 7. The response of a sensor array composed of a tin

oxide based sensor (doped for NOx sensitivity), an oxy­
gen sensor, and a SiC-based hydrocarbon sensor in an
engine environment.

A first generation High Temperature Electronic Nose

has been demonstrated on a modified automotive pro­
pulsion system. Fig. 7 shows the response of a
nanocrystalline tin oxide based sensor (doped for nitro­
gen oxide or NOx sensitivity), an oxygen (O2) sensor,
Fig. 6. A thin film multifunctional sensor in the
and a SiC-based hydrocarbon (CxHy) sensor. The figure
geometry of an off-axis rosette.
shows the individual sensor responses during the initial
start of the propulsion system, a warm-up period, a
3.3 Chemical Sensor Technology steady state operation period, and at the engine turn-off.
The sensors were operated at 400°C while the engine
The development of MEMS-based chemical microsen­ operating temperature was 337°C. Each sensor has a
sors to measure emissions in harsh environments has different characteristic response. The results are qualita­
been on-going for a considerable time for emission tively consistent with what would be expected for this
monitoring applications [10]. The development of such type of engine. They also show the value of using sen­
a MEMS-based chemical sensors array, or High Tem­ sors with very different response mechanisms in an
perature Electronic Nose, has begun using high tem­ electronic nose array: the information provided by each
perature gas sensors being developed for a range of ap­ sensor was unique and monitored a different aspect of
plications [10,11]. There are three very different sensor the engine’s chemical behavior.
types that constitute the High Temperature Electronic
Nose: resistors, electrochemical cells, and Schottky This data shows the capability to detect multiple chemi­
diodes. Each sensor type provides qualitatively very cal species in Venus relevant environments. Higher
different types of information on the environment being temperature operation has been achieved for some sen­
monitored. This is in contrast to a conventional array of sors and other species can be detected. Overall, a poten­
sensors that generally consists of elements of the same tial chemical sensor array can be tailored to measure
type, e.g., tin oxide (SnO2) resistors doped differently chemical species specifically relevant for Venus appli­
for different selectivities. It is envisioned that the ele­ cations.
ments of the High Temperature Electronic Nose array
(resistors, diodes, and electrochemical cells) will have 4. MOBILE SENSOR PLATFORMS
very different responses to the individual gases in the
environment. Mobile sensor platforms are also being developed for
sensor placement, as well as methods for communicat­ cally inspired walking robot named a Whegs, modeled
ing between roving platforms and a central command after the common cockroach, was proposed in combina­
location. This work, begun in the mid 1990’s, leverages tion with a planetary instrumentation exploration suite
commercially available equipment to miniaturize exist­ (Fig. 9). It is envisioned that groups of these simple
ing sensor platforms and produce mobile platforms that sensor platforms investigating an area of interest to sci­
are planetary exploration compatible. While initially entists could add breadth of coverage to complement the
envisioned for use in engine maintenance, the major activities of a larger, more heavily instrumented single
thrust of this work was to produce systems of sturdy, large rover leading the group.
simple design meeting a technology gap in methods to
move sensors from one location to another. These mo­
bile sensor platforms can be integrated with a range of
instrumentation as well as potential alternate modes of
locomotion for planetary exploration.

Fig. 9. Whegs Vehicle operating in uneven terrain using the

locomotion approach of a cockroach (picture courtesy of
Case Western Reserve University).

Fig. 8. Miniature Sensor Platform containing RF communica­

tions, video camera, and a temperature sensor.

In the nineties, a series of small rover initiatives were

executed under aeronautics funding to look into the
practicality of performing robotic inspection within
airframe structures such as engines and fuel tanks. Dur­
ing these efforts, the technological hurdles overcome
were the miniaturization of the platforms along with the
embedment of sensors and communications. A sensor Fig. 10: NASA GRC Sensor Platform “Mule” for demon­
platform, as seen in Fig. 8, which carried two way RF strating technologies on the CMU Highlander.
communications, a video camera, and a temperature
sensor and displaced less than 60 cubic centimeters was
fabricated.

More recently, the Optical Instrumentation and NDE

Branch at NASA GRC has been collaborating with aca­
demia to pursue other mobile sensor platform activities.
A proposal under ROSES 05 titled Terrestrial and Ex­
traterrestrial Astrobiology Science and Engineering
Research Vehicles for Remote Sensing (TEA
SERVERS): Advanced Mobile Sensor Platforms For
Astrobiolology was submitted with Case Western Re­ Fig. 11. CMU Highlander Rover operation in simulated
serve University researchers and Dr. Penelope Boston Lunar environments.
of New Mexico Tech. Within this proposal, a biologi­
Most recently, a tracked “mule” or test robot (shown in ics, power, data storage, and telemetry with hydrogen,
Fig. 10) has been fabricated to develop and verify in­ hydrocarbon, and oxygen sensors. Fig. 13 shows the
strumentation, sensors, communications and control operation of the electronics plus the three sensor system
algorithms for the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) simultaneously. In particular, the data highlights the
Robotics Institute’s Highlander Lunar Rover Initiative. response of a SiC-based hydrocarbon sensor at various
The Highlander Lunar Rover system, shown in Fig. 11, hydrocarbon fuel (RP-1) concentrations. The oxygen
has a range of subsystems whose operation and maturity concentration is held constant and the hydrogen sensor
need to be verified before operational deployment. To signal shows no response, suggesting a lack of cross-
date, a Sterling Radioisotope Generator simulator for sensitivity between the hydrogen and hydrocarbon sen­
prototyping has been provided to CMU by GRC. Also, sors to the detection of this hydrocarbon.
the Highlander is currently using GRC designed and
built control and communications electronics which
Hydrocarbon Oxygen Hydrogen
reside between the Highlander main CPU and the vari­ Sensor Sensor Sensor
ous actuators. NASA GRC has also provided the RF
communications, onboard communications, the inertial
measurement unit, and tilt and power monitoring sen­
sors for the robot. The interface and control software
was also developed by NASA GRC.

5. MICROSENSOR SYSTEMS

A range of Microsystems based chemical sensors have

also been developed for applications such as fire detec­
tion, leak detection, EVA, and environmental monitor­
Fig. 12. A prototype version of a “Lick and Stick”
ing. These microsensors have been demonstrated on a leak sensor system with hydrogen, hydrocarbon, and
range of aerospace applications. This technology util­ oxygen detection capabilities combined with support­
izes basic microsensor platforms that can be modified as ing electronics including signal conditioning and te­
needed for a given application. A range of gases of gen­ lemetry.
eral planetary exploration interest can be measured in­
2500
2500
cluding methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide, oxygen,
RAW SENSOR SIGNAL (mV)

3000 P
PP
PM
M
and hydrogen. Oxygen
Oxygen 21%
21%

2000
2000
2000 PPM
This development also includes a “Lick and Stick” sen­
1000 PPM
sor package featuring sensors, power, signal condition­ 1500
1500
300 PPM
ing, and telemetry on a near postage stamp size unit.
The objective in the leak detection project is to produce
1000
1000
a microsensor array, which includes hydrogen (H2), O2, RP-1 Vapor 0%
0% 0%

and CxHy [10]. Thus, a range of potential launch vehicle Hydrogen 0%

fuels (hydrogen or hydrocarbons) and oxygen can be 500

measured simultaneously. The array is being incorpo­

rated with signal conditioning electronics, power, data 0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
storage, and telemetry. The final system is envisioned TIME (sec)
to be self-contained with the surface area comparable to
Fig. 13. Response of the three sensors of the leak sensor
a postage stamp. Thus, this postage stamp sized “Lick system to a constant oxygen environment and varying hy­
and Stick” type gas sensor technology can enable a ma­ drocarbon (RP-1) concentrations. The sensor signal shown is
trix of leak detection sensors placed throughout a region the output from the signal conditioning electronics which
with minimal size and weight as well as with no power processes the measured sensor current at a constant voltage.
consumption from the vehicle. Sensor outputs are fed
to a data processing station, enabling realtime visual
images of leaks, and enhancing vehicle safety. Also being developed is a microfabricated particle clas­
sifier. The combination of a range of chemical species
A prototype model of the “Lick and Stick” sensor sys­ measurements with particle classification is a significant
tem has been fabricated and is shown in Fig. 12 [12]. potential tool to broadly characterize a planetary sur­
The complete system has signal conditioning electron-

face. The approach adopted here for the measurement of Microsystems technology which minimizes size, weight,
particle size distributions, number density, and ambient and power consumption.
charge state is that of ion or electrical mobility classifi­
cation (IMC or EMC) [13]. The EMC process exploits
differences in individual particle mobilities to perform 6. SUMMARY AND POSSIBLE PLANETARY
either spatial or temporal classification. One objective APPLICATIONS
of the sensor development work is the fabrication of
microscale particulate detectors and classifiers [14]. This paper has presented a range of technologies which
can enable planetary missions. This includes the elec­
tronics to process data and operate instruments, micro
chemical and particulate sensors to measure multiple
facets of the planetary environment, and mobile sensor
platforms to move the electronics and sensors around a
planetary environment. Harsh environment sensor tech­
nology will enable Venus missions and also monitor
vehicle component conditions such as those of an en­
gine.

A common thread associated with this electronics and

instrumentation development is the enabling of small,
smart, rugged, and mobile systems. Measurements at
one location are likely not enough to be able to make
conclusions regarding the presence of life. While it may
occur that everything one needs to measure can be
Figure 14. MEMS particulate classifier contrasted with found at, for example, the lander’s location, measure­
traditional macroscale device. ments at a variety of locations are more likely to provide
a larger picture of planetary conditions as well as in­
A prototype MEMS particulate sensor is shown in Fig. crease the probability of taking a measurement indica­
14. For comparison, this device is contrasted with the tive of life. Such activities may be hampered by large,
conventional macroscale device which it replaces. This power consumptive systems.
sensor is in the form of a wafer stack, wherein the active
channel is composed of a pair of silicon substrates sepa­ Thus, there is a strong need for low power devices
rated by a dielectric spacer. All features of this device which can be mobile and provide substantial characteri­
are fabricated using conventional thin film lithography zation of the planetary environment where and when
and deposition techniques, combined with relatively needed. The sensors, electronics, and mobile platforms
standard MEMS wafer etching and micromachining described here are uniquely capable of low power op­
methods. The combined approach of microchemical eration in relevant environments. While a given mission
sensors and microparticulate detectors has been applied will require tailoring of the technology for the applica­
to cargo bay fire detection applications with the result­ tion, basic tools which can enable new planetary mis­
ing system demonstration yielding a significantly de­ sions are being developed.
creased false fire alarm rate and a highly increased con­
fidence in the measurement. 7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The application of these microsystems for planetary We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of those
exploration would enable a broad-based instrument for whose made this review paper and its contents possible:
understanding planetary environments and enabling the Dr. L. Matus, Dr. M. Zeller, and E. Benavage of NASA
detection of the chemical signatures of life. Measuring GRC, C. Blaha, J. Gonzalez, D. Androjna, M. Artale, B.
chemical constituents of a sample should be done with Osborn, P. Lampard, K. Laster, M. Mrdenovich of Si­
as broad a simultaneous identification of as many spe­ erra Lobo/NASA GRC, A. Trunek and D. Spry of OAI,
cies as feasible. The microsystem technology above Carl W. Chang and D. Lukco of QSS, A. Powell of
provides a range of tools, from multiple chemical spe­ SEST/NASA, E. Savrun of Sienna Technologies, Inc.,
cies to particulate analysis, to understand the planetary C.C. Liu and R. Quinn of Case Western Reserve Uni­
environment. Further, these tools are provided using versity, D. Makel and B. Ward of Makel Engineering,
Inc., P. Dutta and B. Patton of the Ohio State Univer­
sity, Dr. Penelope Boston of New Mexico Tech., R.
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