RHRPMICL1A with radiation hardening performance
Integrated latch-up current limiter and SSP switch


STMicroelectronics announced on the 15th that it has developed the RHRPMICL1A, a programmable integrated current limiter (ICL) with radiation-hardened performance.

Protecting against power surges and overloads in electronic equipment operating in space, the RHRPMICL1A integrates the latch-up current limiter and solid-state power (SSP) switch functions that were previously implemented using discrete components.

The RHRPMICL1A simplifies design and reduces bill of materials (BOM) costs while saving up to 93% board space and weight. Hardware designers can reduce the typical protection circuit footprint from 20 cm × 20 cm to 5 cm × 5 cm.

Additionally, RHRPMICL1A achieved QML-V space station certification (5962R17211) for a total ionization dose (TID) of up to 100 kRad and a radiation hardness assurance (RHA) of 78 MeV at single event latch-up (SEL).

The RHRPMICL1A can be configured to address a number of applications, including operating as a slave providing simple latch protection, in autonomous mode with automatic self-recovery, or limiting foldback to safely maintain current under all conditions, including short-circuit.

Typically, it can also control telemetry and remote command pins that are directly connected to the spacecraft's onboard computer. The load can be managed through an external P-channel MOSFET, providing flexibility for circuit designers.

The RHRPMICL1A is compatible with all bus voltages commonly used in space applications, including 28 V, 50 V, and 100 V. It also features a Zener diode and floating ground configuration to protect the load in case of internal faults, along with the flexibility to handle higher bus voltages in the future.

The RHRPMICL1A, based on ST’s proprietary BCD6s SOI, is a radiation-hardened product and is the third to receive QML-V certification. This product is currently in production in a hermetically sealed 20-pin planar ceramic package.

Demonstration boards for trigger mode (EVAL-RHICL1ATV1), latch mode (EVAL-RHICL1ALV1), and foldback mode (EVAL-RHICL1AFV1) are available, along with engineering and evaluation models and flight-ready plated or solder-dip devices, along with user guides. Contact your ST representative for pricing and sample requests.