“Off-the-shelf” radiation-tolerant DC-DC converters for low earth orbit satellites and launch vehicles

Citation

(2004), "“Off-the-shelf” radiation-tolerant DC-DC converters for low earth orbit satellites and launch vehicles", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776ead.002

“Off-the-shelf” radiation-tolerant DC-DC converters for low earth orbit satellites and launch vehicles

“Off-the-shelf” radiation-tolerant DC-DC converters for low earth orbit satellites and launch vehicles

Keywords: Spacecraft, Design, Radioactivity

International rectifier has introduced a new family of standard, off-the-shelf DC-DC converters that solve the space industry's problems of lengthy design cycles and extensive design analysis requirements for custom units.

The new AMA Series (5 W), AMF Series (12 W), and AMR Series (30 W) radiation- tolerant, high-reliability (hi-rel) DC-DC converters are standard, off-the-shelf and proven units designed for extended operation in moderate radiation environments. Small size and low mass are said to make the parts ideal for point-of-load regulators or as a building block in a power system for low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and launch vehicles.

The AMA, AMF and AMR converters claim high tolerance to total ionizing dose (TID greater than 25 krad), heavy ion single event effects (SEE greater than 60 MeV-cm²/mg) and environmental stresses such as temperature extremes, mechanical shock and vibration. Radiation test data, which include TID and SEE, are available.

The new DC-DC converters have a 28 V input, with standard output voltages of 3.3, 5, 12 and 15 V for single output models, and ±5, ±12 and ±15V for dual output models. These converters are also available with both single and dual output. A separate MIL-STD-461C compliance filter is available.

AMA series converters weigh less than 32 g, with an outline of 44.1 mm × 28.7 mm × 8.4 mm. AMF series converters weigh less than 36 g, and have an outline of 53.3 mm × 35.1 mm × 8.4 mm. The AMR series converters weigh less than 68 g, with an outline of 69.6 mm × 38.9 mm × 0.4 mm.

Operating temperature for each of the converters is -55° to 125°C. The devices have MIL-STD-461C, CE03 and CS01 compliance with an external filter.

Data sheets for the devices are available on the 1R Web site.

Details available from: International Rectifier Co. Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)20 8645 8003; Fax: +44 (0)20 8645 8077; E-mail: mwiggl@irf.com