SPACE POWER Microchip expands space GaN power portfolio

From Microchip 2 min Reading Time

Related Vendors

Microchip Technology has announced the POL-05-20S-T, a radiation-tolerant, Point-of-Load (POL) converter, designed to address the demanding power requirements of space processing applications. The new device uses Gallium Nitride (GaN) power devices to deliver up to 20A of output current with high efficiency and power density.

Microchip’s radiation-tolerant GaN point-of-load converter supplies up to 20 A for space-based processors, FPGAs, microcontrollers and ASICs.(Source:  Microchip)
Microchip’s radiation-tolerant GaN point-of-load converter supplies up to 20 A for space-based processors, FPGAs, microcontrollers and ASICs.
(Source: Microchip)

The converter is supplied in a compact, 25g surface-mount package measuring 1.51” x 1.51” x 0.45”. By delivering 20A in this footprint, the device helps engineers manage the size, power and energy constraints that accompany increasingly capable onboard processing systems. The GaN-based design is intended to provide a combination of high efficiency, high power density and continuous current capability for challenging space power applications.

"Space designers are integrating increasingly powerful digital processing, creating demand for compact power solutions that can respond quickly, while operating reliably in harsh environments,” said Ronan Dillon, senior director of Microchip’s high-reliability and RF business unit. “The POL-05-20S-T extends our space power portfolio with a high-current GaN solution that helps customers achieve high power density, design flexibility and system-level reliability.”

The POL-05-20S-T is designed for high-current, fast-transient applications such as for the core voltage rails of FPGAs, microcontrollers, ASICs and other processing-intensive digital loads. It combines a synchronous buck topology with current-mode control to support fast current transients and stable operation. With a wide input range of 4.75V to 13.2V and adjustable 0.7V to 5V output, the device offers flexibility to address multiple power rails and system architectures.

Designed for harsh radiation environments, the POL-05-20S-T has electrical parameters specified before and after irradiation up to a Total Ionizing Dose (TID) of 50 krad. The device is characterized for Single Event Effects (SEE) up to a Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of 43 MeV·cm²/mg. It operates from −55°C to +100°C at full load, supporting systems exposed to wide temperature variations over the course of a mission.

To support reliable power delivery, the POL-05-20S-T incorporates remote sensing, undervoltage and overvoltage protection, soft start, an enable pin and power-good indication pin. Adjustable output voltage, a wide input range and output droop regulation further help designers tailor the converter to high-current loads requiring tight voltage regulation and rapid transient response.

Microchip delivers a comprehensive space power suite that is part of an end-to-end solution for space system designers, including EMI filters, DC-DC converters, point-of-load regulators, Hi-Rel discrete components, FPGAs and the PIC64-HPSC High-Performance Spaceflight Computing devices. Built on decades of space heritage, the portfolio helps customers simplify development, reduce design risk and accelerate deployment of mission-critical space systems.

Follow us on LinkedIn

Have you enjoyed reading this article? Then follow us on LinkedIn and stay up-to-date with daily posts about the latest developments on the industry, products and applications, tools and software as well as research and development.

Follow us here!

(ID:50989444)

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Unfold for details of your consent