Microchip, non-hybrid space-grade
SA50-120 DC-DC power converter family
Added 9 new units based on COTS technology.


Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) today announced nine new units based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology added to its SA50-120 DC-DC power converter family, the industry's only non-hybrid space-grade product.

The SA50-120 radiation-hardened DC-DC power converter family is certified by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to Mil-Std-202/461/883. Its surface-mount design provides flexibility to meet specific applications and requirements. This family enables developers to accelerate the design and production of spaceflight systems.

The SA50-120 power converter, which utilizes 120V, provides up to 56W of output in a compact and lightweight solution. Offering single and triple outputs with an EMI-compliant and radiation-hardened design, it achieves a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 8 million hours and an efficiency of up to 87%, making it suitable for the space station and ORION program platforms.

The product family utilizes a switching regulator with a single-ended forward converter topology controlled by peak current mode with single-event immunity. It is certified for a total ionizing dose (TID) of 100 krad (Si) and a single event effect (SEE) exceeding 80 MeV cm2/mg.

Additionally, it provides synchronization, TTL (transistor-transistor logic) on/off command signals, and various protection features. The single-output version additionally provides remote sensing, output voltage adjustment, and parallel connection capabilities.

The SA50-120S unit is available with 3.3/5/12/15/28 V outputs. The SA50-120T unit is available with 3.3/5 V main outputs and 12/15 V auxiliary outputs. Nine units are currently in mass production and limited sampling.