Microchip expands space-qualified power converter family
23rd Feb 2021 | In News | By Mike Richardson
Microchip Technology has announced the expansion of its SA50-120 power converter family with nine new units based on its COTS technology. This technology provides developers with space-qualified power converters that help to minimise risk and lower development costs.
Microchip’s SA50-120 radiation-hardened DC to DC power converters – said to be the only standard non-hybrid space-grade DC-DC power converters available – utilise surface mount component construction, allowing flexibility and customisation to fit specific applications and requirements. The SA50-120 family, qualified to Mil-Std-461, Mil-Std-883 and Mil-Std-202, enables designers to start with proven COTS technology and quickly scale up development, reducing risk and development time.
SA50-120 power converters utilise 120V input and offer up to 56W of output in a low profile, small-sized solution. These EMI compliant and radiation-hardened designs with single and triple outputs are ideal for Space Station and ORION programme platforms. The units employ switching regulators that use peak current mode controlled single-ended forward converter topology with inherent single-event immunity.
Offering eight million hours Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and up to 87% efficiency – the highest of any standard 120V input space-grade DC-DC power converter, the SA50-120 maximises system performance and reliability. The units are qualified to 100 krad (Si) Total Ionisation Dose (TID) and Single Event Effects (SEE) greater than 80 MeV cm2/mg, and offer synchronisation, 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.
“Microchip’s 30-year legacy as a space technology partner spans more than 50 successful programmes 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.”
Microchip’s SA50-120S 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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