Very High Speed Integrated Circuits/Gallium Arsenide Electronics for Aircraft Engine Controls

VHSIC (Very High Speed Integrated Circuits) and GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) technologies offer increased performance and GaAs, in particular, offers unique capabilities in adverse environments, such as high temperature and radiation. VHSIC, as defined by code Federal regulation, is any device that has military applications, and equals or exceeds 1 × 10¹³ Gate Hz/cm². VHSIC technology offers potential speed and performance improvements over traditional silicon technology, while GaAs offers even greater potential in high-speed, low-power performance and optical capabilities. VHSIC/GaAs technology has been studied to define how it may be developed and applied to improve control system performance for aircraft engines. The results of this study are presented. Discussed are related programs and the common areas of VHSIC and GaAs technology with emphasis on the unique optoelectronic and adverse environment characteristics of GaAs. Attributes of materials, devices, circuits, systems and other topics are addressed along with future application requirements for engine control application. The state of the art in VHSIC/GaAs components and their possible applications are discussed. These specific applications include actuator signal processing, smart sensors, digital control computing and optoelectronics for fiber optic interfaces. The final section will summarize the environmental and performance payoffs offered and provide some conclusions about the current state of the art as it applies to engine control applications, future applications potential, risk and the degree of further development required.