STMicroelectronics releases series of radiation-hardened ICs for satellites

STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor provider serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, is simplifying the design and volume production of the new generation of reliable small, low-cost satellites to deliver services like earth observation and broadband internet from low-earth orbits (LEOs).

ST’s new series of radiation-hardened power, analog, and logic ICs in low-cost plastic packages provide important functions for the satellites’ electronic circuitry.

The first nine devices in this series have just been released and include a data converter, a voltage regulator, an LVDS transceiver, a line driver, and five logic gates that are used throughout systems like power generation and distribution, on-board computers, telemetry star trackers, and transceivers.

ST will continue to grow the series adding more functions in the coming months to further expand designers’ choices.

“We are in a new era of space commercialization and democratization, commonly called New Space, which radically changes the economics of conceiving, building, launching, and operating satellites,” said Marcello San Biagio, General Purpose and RF division GM, STMicroelectronics. “Our new product series brings the know-how we have amassed supporting space missions for many decades, combined with our expertise in commercial IC production, to deliver competitively priced products robust enough to withstand the challenges of the LEO environment and, in particular, meeting the requirement for radiation hardness.”

The nine new parts announced today are the LEO3910 2A adjustable low-dropout voltage regulator, the LEOAD128 8-Channel, 1Msps 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), the LEOLVDSRD 400Mbps LVDS driver-receiver, LEOAC00 quad 2-input NAND gate, LEOAC14 hex inverter with Schmitt-trigger input, LEOA244 octal bus buffer with tri-state outputs, LEOAC74 dual D-type flip-flop, LEOAC08 quad 2-input AND gate and LEOAC32 quad 2 inputs OR gates.