Radiation-Hardened DC to DC Power Converters with COTS Technology to Maximize System Performance and Reliability in Space Applications

Published  February 24, 2021   0
Radiation-Hardened DC to DC Power Converters

Microchip’s SA50-120 series is the family of space-qualified COTS-based radiation-hardened DC to DC power converters that help minimize risk and lower development costs in space applications. Offering eight million hours Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and up to 87% efficiency, the SA50-120 power converters maximize system performance and reliability.

These nine new standard non-hybrid converters offer up to 56W of output in a low profile, small-sized solution and its surface mount component construction offers flexibility and customization to fit specific applications and requirements. With the release of these new advances based on COTS technology, the company aims to minimize redesigning work and lengthening life cycles, thereby reducing overall system costs.

Qualified to Mil-Std-461, Mil-Std-883, and Mil-Std-202, these new EMI-compliant and radiation-hardened devices with single and triple outputs are ideal for Space Station and ORION program platforms. Additionally, the units are qualified to 100 krad (Si) Total Ionization Dose (TID) and Single Event Effects (SEE) greater than 80 MeV cm2/mg, and offer synchronization, a Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) on/off command signal, and various protection features. Single output versions additionally offer remote sense, output voltage adjust and parallel connection functions.

These converters utilize switching regulators that use peak current mode controlled single-ended forward converter topology with inherent single-event immunity. The SA50-120S units are available in 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 15V, and 28V outputs while SA50-120T units are available in 3.3V or 5V main output with 12V or 15V auxiliary outputs in volume production and limited sampling.