New device addresses challenge of reducing weight and board area on satellites

Microsemi has announced it is sampling the LX7720 radiation-tolerant motor controller, the newest member of its Space System Manager (SSM) product family. Claimed to be the industry’s first highly integrated radiation-tolerant motor control integrated circuit (IC), the device significantly reduces weight and board space relative to conventional discrete motor control circuits, offering a unique solution for satellite manufacturers sensitive to area and weight challenges. The company’s SSM product family of special purpose mixed signal devices leverages the company’s more than 50 years of space heritage and provides its customers with innovative space system solutions solving application-specific challenges. As the second member of the SSM family, joining the previously announced the radiation-tolerant telemetry controller IC, the new device works with a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and complements the company’s other components specifically designed for the demanding space market. “As the reduction of weight and board space on satellites continues to challenge the aerospace market, we are pleased to reinforce our commitment to developing innovative solutions with this highly reliable radiation-tolerant motor controller,” said Dorian Johnson, product line manager for Microsemi’s analog mixed signal space products. “Our ever-growing space product portfolio continues to strengthen our leadership position and customer relationships in this market as we maximize the amount of Microsemi content on these sophisticated satellites.” The device has already been adopted by customers to enable various motor control applications in space robotics and human-rated space programs. Additional target applications for the device include motor driver servo control, linear actuator servo control and driving stepper, brushless direct current, and permanent-magnet synchronous motors. These motors can be found on satellite busses (solar panel deployment and driving reaction wheels), on spacecraft payload instruments (multi-axis pointing mechanisms for antennas and laser terminals; precise motion control of lenses, filters, and mirrors), and in robotics applications (pressure-sensitive motion control).