Microchip Readies Radiation-Resistant DC-DC Converters for Space Applications
Microchip Launches Radiation-Tolerant DC-DC Converters for Streamlined LEO Satellite Design
Microchip Technology, a leading provider of microcontroller, analog, and mixed-signal IC solutions, has unveiled a new series of radiation-tolerant DC-DC converters specifically designed for Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. This innovative solution empowers satellite designers to achieve superior power efficiency and optimize Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) characteristics within their payloads.
Microchip’s new radiation-tolerant DC-DC converter offers high efficiency with a small size and weight.
Reconfigurable Commercial Design for Faster Qualification
Microchip's LE50-28 series DC-DC converters address the critical needs of the space industry by offering:
- Enhanced Radiation Tolerance: Built to withstand the harsh radiation environment of LEO, the LE50-28 series delivers exceptional performance while adhering to strict radiation tolerance requirements.
- Simplified Qualification Process: By leveraging a commercially available and pre-qualified design, the LE50-28 series can significantly accelerate qualification times for various satellite applications compared to custom-built solutions.
Compact and High-Performance for Seamless Integration
The LE50-28 series offers a compelling value proposition for satellite designers:
- Small Size and Lightweight Design: These converters contribute to reduced SWaP within the payload, a crucial factor in satellite design. This allows for more efficient use of valuable space and launch weight capacity.
- High-Efficiency Power Conversion: The LE50-28 series boasts an impressive 80% power conversion efficiency at full load. This translates to a smaller power supply footprint as less energy storage is needed, further optimizing SWaP.
The LE50-28 offers designers a good tradeoff between raw performance, size/weight efficiency, and radiation tolerance.
Multiple Options for Design Flexibility
The LE50-28 series caters to diverse satellite power needs with two primary variants:
- Single-Output Version: Provides a single, regulated voltage output for powering specific satellite subsystems.
- Triple-Output Version: Offers three independent, regulated voltage outputs, enabling efficient power distribution to various components within the payload while maintaining a compact footprint.
The triple-output LE50-28 can provide three unique outputs for different applications while using the same footprint.
Key Specifications and Features
- Total ionizing dose (TID) tolerance of up to 50 krad.
- Single event effects (SEE) latch-up immunity of 37 MeV⋅cm²/mg.
- Supports up to 50 W of power delivery (expandable to 200 W by paralleling four converters).
- Output voltage range: 3.3 V to 28 V.
- Operates from a standard 28 V bus.
- Integrated EMI filter minimizes electromagnetic interference.
- Rugged design with a reported mean time between failures (MTBF) exceeding 1 million hours.
- Standard package options for seamless integration into existing satellite designs.
Microchip’s space-grade portfolio
offers designers a broad range of devices, accelerating time to
deployment by employing commercial solutions with known performance.
Partner with BonChip Electronics for Your Satellite Power Needs
BonChip Electronics is a trusted distributor of Microchip products, including the innovative LE50-28 series radiation-tolerant DC-DC converters. We offer a comprehensive selection of space-grade electronic components and exceptional technical support to assist you in selecting the ideal solution for your next satellite project.
Contact BonChip Electronics today to learn more about the LE50-28 series and how it can empower you to design high-performance and SWaP-optimized LEO satellites with faster time-to-deployment.
