
COTS DC-DC converter family is rad hard for space
Microchip Technology has launched nine commercial radiation hardened isolated DC-DC converter devices qualified for space designs.
The SA50-120 DC-DC converter family is based on Microchip’s Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) technology to minimise risk and lower development costs. The family uses a surface mount rather than hybrid construction to provide flexibility and customization to fit specific applications and requirements.
The 56W isolated DC-DC converter family is qualified to Mil-Std-461, Mil-Std-883 and Mil-Std-202, enables designers to start with proven COTS technology and scale up development, reducing risk and development time. The units are qualified to 100 krad (Si) Total Ionization Dose (TID) and Single Event Effects (SEE) greater than 80 MeV cm2/mg,
The DC-DC converter range uses a 120V input and offers up to 56W with single and triple outputs suitable for Space Station and ORION program platforms. The units use switching regulators that use peak current mode controlled single-ended forward converter topology with inherent single-event immunity. Operating at a fixed frequency of 220 kHz, the units can be externally synced with other frequency sources.
Reliability is key in space designs, so the range has a Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of 8m hours and up to 87 percent efficiency with synchronization, a Transitor-Transitor Logic (TTL) on/off command signal, and various protection features. Single output versions additionally offer remote sense, output voltage adjust and parallel connection functions.
“Microchip’s 30-year legacy as a space technology partner spans more than 50 successful programs and platforms,” said Leon Gross, vice president of Microchip’s Discrete Products Group business unit “We continue to invest in the development of critical technology required for spaceflight.”
The company also supplies radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs); microcontrollers (MCUs), microprocessors (MPUs), timing products; semiconductors and point-of-load regulators; and high-reliability electromechanical, mission-critical and space-grade relays. It works with system manufacturers and integrators on obsolescence management, supporting customers’ efforts to minimize redesign work and lengthen life cycles, thereby reducing overall system costs.
Next: Space qualified COTS DC-DC converter support
Microchip provides end-to-end design support to accelerate time to market including analysis, qualification and production. Designers can obtain analysis and qualification reports on demand and engineering development units are available from stock.
The SA50-120S DC-DC converter units are available in 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 15V and 28V outputs. SA50-120T units are available in 3.3V or 5V main output with 12V or 15V auxiliary outputs. These radiation-hardened units are available now for volume production and limited sampling.
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