20-01-2023 | Microchip Technology | Power
Building on its existing radiation-tolerant portfolio, Microchip Technology Inc has introduced its first COTS rad-tolerant power device with the MIC69303RT 3A LDO Voltage Regulator. The new high-current, low-voltage device is a power management solution aimed at LEO and other space applications. The device is offered for prototype sampling in plastic and hermetic ceramic to support the demands of the mission.
The device is based on proven COTS devices making it simpler to conduct a preliminary evaluation and early development. Running from a single low voltage supply of 1.65V to 5.5V, the device supplies output voltages as low as 0.5V at high currents, providing high precision and ultra-low dropout voltages of 500mV under extreme conditions. It is a companion power source solution for the company's radiation-tolerant space-qualified microcontrollers, such as the SAM71Q21RT and PolarFire FPGAs, including the RTPF500TLS.
"MIC69303RT is Microchip's first rad-tolerant power management device with a hermetic ceramic package, latch-up immunity and 50 Krad total dose robustness," said Bob Vampola, vice president of Microchip's aerospace and defence business unit. "Microchip has over 60 years of space flight heritage in a comprehensive portfolio that allows customers to choose products designed to work together and accelerate their design processes."
"This COTS rad-tolerant power management solution enables new design possibilities in space applications," said Keith Pazul, director of marketing for Microchip's analog power and interface business unit. "Customers can design their space system with confidence by selecting the COTS MIC69303RT space-qualified part to power Microchip space-qualified MCUs and FPGAs."
Developed for harsh aerospace applications, the device is operational in temperature ranges from -55C to +125C. It is provided in 8-pin and 10-pin package configurations with radiation tolerance up to 50Krad. The low noise of the output is crucial to sensitive RF circuits, post-regulation of switching power supplies and industrial power applications.
The device is the most recent space-qualified product by the company. It is manufactured in compliance with MIL Class Q or Class V requirements of screening testing, qualification testing and TCI/QCI specifications. The plastic MIC69303RT is compliant with high-reliability plastic quality flow derived from AEC-Q100 automotive requirements, with particular additional tests required for space applications.
The MIC69303RT Plastic Evaluation Board is created to evaluate the performance of the plastic engineering IC version for the MIC69303RT. The four-layer PCB enables the user to readily change and measure the electric parameters of the device at various input and output conditions.
