Keith Lofstrom
Encyclopedia
Keith Lofstrom is an electrical engineer. He has a BSEE and MSEE from University of California, Berkeley
.
He is more widely known in the space advocacy
community for a ground-based space launcher design, the Launch Loop
,
for which he has been credited by name in several works of science fiction.
Frederick Pohl, who used the idea in several of his stories, once wrote that, of all the non-rocket spacelaunch
concepts, he liked the Lofstrom Loop "best of all."
As an electrical engineer, Lofstrom specializes in mixed-signal integrated circuit
design. A paper he wrote on boundary scan
methods was one of two to receive an Honorable Mention at the 1997 IEEE International Test Conference.
One of his 9 patents is for a way to read an individual digital ID for integrated circuits that arises from random atomic variations inherent in the semiconductor device fabrication process.
One of his more recent efforts in speculative space systems is Server Sky, a very large satellite constellation
in Earth orbit using thin-film solar cells to power data center
computers integrated into the same wafers
as the PV cells.
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
.
He is more widely known in the space advocacy
Space advocacy
Space advocacy can be described as the general position supporting, pleading or arguing for the idea or cause of space exploration and settlements...
community for a ground-based space launcher design, the Launch Loop
Launch loop
A launch loop or Lofstrom loop is a proposed system for launching objects into space orbit using a moving cable-like system attached to the earth at two ends and suspended above the atmosphere in the middle...
,
for which he has been credited by name in several works of science fiction.
Frederick Pohl, who used the idea in several of his stories, once wrote that, of all the non-rocket spacelaunch
Non-rocket spacelaunch
Non-rocket space launch is a launch into space where some or all needed speed and altitude is provided by non-rocket means, rather than simply using conventional chemical rockets from the ground. A number of alternatives to rockets have been proposed...
concepts, he liked the Lofstrom Loop "best of all."
As an electrical engineer, Lofstrom specializes in mixed-signal integrated circuit
Mixed-signal integrated circuit
A mixed-signal integrated circuit is any integrated circuit that has both analog circuits and digital circuits on a single semiconductor die.- Examples :...
design. A paper he wrote on boundary scan
Boundary scan
Boundary scan is a method for testing interconnects on printed circuit boards or sub-blocks inside an integrated circuit. Boundary scan is also widely used as a debugging method to watch integrated circuit pin states, measure voltage, or analyze sub-blocks inside an integrated circuit.The Joint...
methods was one of two to receive an Honorable Mention at the 1997 IEEE International Test Conference.
One of his 9 patents is for a way to read an individual digital ID for integrated circuits that arises from random atomic variations inherent in the semiconductor device fabrication process.
One of his more recent efforts in speculative space systems is Server Sky, a very large satellite constellation
Satellite constellation
A group of artificial satellites working in concert is known as a satellite constellation. Such a constellation can be considered to be a number of satellites with coordinated ground coverage, operating together under shared control, synchronised so that they overlap well in coverage and...
in Earth orbit using thin-film solar cells to power data center
Data center
A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems...
computers integrated into the same wafers
Wafer (electronics)
A wafer is a thin slice of semiconductor material, such as a silicon crystal, used in the fabrication of integrated circuits and other microdevices...
as the PV cells.
External links
- Personal website
- KLIC - IC design consultancy
- Server Sky - proposed solar-powered satellite-based computing substrate
- Space Elevator Stage 1: Through the Stratosphere, John Chapman, Keith Lofstrom. Space Elevator Conference 2011, Redmond, WA August 14-16. [Use Page Up and Page Down keys to navigate.]