Introducing radiation hardened point of load converters

The SVPL Series use Renesas’ ISL7000x family of rad-hard synchronous buck regulators aim to provide high power density, fast transient response, and up to 94% efficiency. The ISL7000x bare-die ICs are characterised for Total Ionising Dose (TID) of 100krad(Si), including Enhanced Low Dose Rate Sensitivity (ELDRS). Furthermore they are immune to destructive Single Event Effects (SEE) with Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of 86.4 MeV-cm2/mg.

The complete SVPL Series of converters are characterised for TID of 100krad(Si), including ELDRS, and SEE performance to 85 MeV-cm2/mg, per VPT’s DLA-approved Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) plan.

Brandon Witcher, Senior Design Engineer for VPT, stated: “The SVPL point of load converters have a high radiation tolerance, particularly regarding Single-Event Transients (SETs). The product designs minimise the external capacitance needed to limit SET magnitudes to the levels required by modern rad-hard digital electronics, which is especially important as digital power rail tolerances continue to shrink.”

Philip Chesley, Vice President, Industrial Analog and Power Business Division, Renesas Electronics Corporation, added: “We are delighted VPT adopted our Intersil brand of bare-die synchronous buck regulators for their SVPL Series. The highly integrated ISL7000x devices are built on six decades of spaceflight product development and leadership.”

Additional features of the SVPL Series include high power density, output enable control, low output noise, overcurrent protection, and external synchronisation to other converters or system clocks. Full power operation of the SVPL Series is rated for -55 to +125° C.

VPT’s President, John Hodock, explained: “Space systems have increased the use of rad-hard digital processing components that require low-voltage, tightly regulated point of load converters. In an industry where tested, qualified, and proven products are the only viable option, we’re pleased to work with Renesas Electronics to incorporate its Intersil high-rel bare die ICs and extend our rad-hard space product line to address this market need.”