Microchip advances family of non-hybrid, space-grade power converters

Space system designers cannot easily support non-standard voltages or add functions with traditional hybrid-style power converters.

Microchip Technology has eliminated the cost, complexity, and customization challenges of these hybrid solutions by offering a discrete-component-based, space-grade DC-DC power converter family that now includes 28V-input, 50-watt (W) radiation-tolerant options.

“Our latest 28V-input SA50-28 products greatly simplify and accelerate system development,” said Leon Gross, VP of Microchip’s discrete product business unit. “They are easier to customize than alternative space-grade power converters so they can meet specific voltage, current, and other needs. Customers gain flexibility while reducing the size, cost, and complexity of their space system designs.”

Microchip’s SA50-28 family is the industry’s only off-the-shelf, 28V-input, radiation-tolerant power converter offering that is based on discrete components with surface-mount construction and non-hybrid assembly processes. Delivering more capabilities than alternative off-the-shelf, space-grade power converters, a single SA50-28 device with customized parameters eliminates the volume, weight, and complexity problems of using hybrid solutions with their multiple devices and surrounding circuitry.

Microchip’s comprehensive SA50-28 product line is a 20 to 40V-input, 50W family with nine standard outputs of 3.3, 5, 12, 15, and 28V in single and triple-output configurations. The devices can be tailored to a system’s exacting power needs in a relatively short time with minimal additional costs as compared to hybrid-style power converter products.

Other features include high efficiency, low output noise, output inhibit control, over-current protection, external synchronization and full-rated power operation through −55° to +85° C with linear derating to +125° C.

The SA50-28 family is part of Microchip’s growing line of standard non-hybrid, space-grade power converters that enable designers to use commercially available, off-the-shelf components with circuitry that has a proven spaceflight heritage.

The products join the radiation-hardened SA50-120 power converter family, introduced in February 2021, that reduces risk and development time for qualified space systems by allowing designers to start with proven commercially available off the shelf technology in ceramic or plastic packages and quickly scaling up development using lower screening levels than traditional Qualified Manufacturers List (QML) requirements.