Microchip Technology (Asia General Manager and Korea Representative Han Byung-don) is accelerating the development speed of space application developers by launching a radiation-resistant power semiconductor capable of withstanding the harsh space environment of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), approximately 1,200 miles above the Earth.

Microchip announced on the 18th that it has built a Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) radiation-resistant power device based on its existing portfolio and launched the MIC69303RT, a 3A Low-Dropout (LDO) voltage regulator.

This high-current, low-voltage MIC69303RT is a new power management solution for low Earth orbit (LEO) and other space applications that enables prototype sampling in both plastic and sealed ceramic versions while meeting the requirements for space missions.

MIC69303RT is built on a proven COTS device, making preliminary evaluation and initial development easier. It operates on a single low-voltage supply of 1.65 to 5.5 V and can supply an output voltage of as low as 0.5 V at high current, and provides high precision and ultra-low dropout voltage of 500 mV under extreme conditions.

In addition, the MIC69303RT is a companion power solution for Microchip’s radiation-resistant space-grade certified microcontrollers (MCUs), such as the PolarFire® FPGA including the RTPF500TLS and the SAM71Q21RT.

The MIC69303RT is designed to operate over a temperature range of -55°C to +125°C for harsh aerospace applications and is available in 8-pin and 10-pin packages with radiation resistance of up to 50 krad. Low output noise is a critical factor in the post-regulation of sensitive RF circuits, switching power supplies, and industrial power applications.

“The MIC69303RT is Microchip’s first radiation-resistant power management device featuring a sealed ceramic package, latch-up immunity, and robustness with a total ionization dose (TID) of 50 krad,” said Bob Vampola, Vice President of Aerospace & Defense at Microchip. “Through Microchip’s comprehensive portfolio built over more than 60 years in the spaceflight sector, customers can now select products that work together during product design to further accelerate the design process.”

Meanwhile, the MIC69303RT device is Microchip's latest space industry certified product, manufactured in compliance with screening and quality tests required for MIL Class Q or Class V certification, as well as TCI/QCI specifications. The MIC69303RT plastic package complies with the high-reliability plastic quality stream derived from AEC-Q100, an automotive electronics certification standard, along with additional testing required for space applications.