Rad-hard low voltage output DC-DC converter series released by International Rectifier

Posted by John McHale

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., 2 July 2011. Officials at International Rectifier, (NYSE: IRF), announced the GH Series of radiation hardened (rad-hard) DC-DC converters. The 50-watt devices are designed for onboard spacecraft applications with mission life requirements as long as 15 years. The GH Series works with designs that use new digital signal processors and field programmable gate array (FPGA) technologies that require a supply voltage as low as 1.0 volts. Features of the GH series include an 18 to 40 volt input range, total ionization dose (TID) of more than 100 kilorad (Si), single event effect (SEE) (heavy ions) with rated LET greater than 82 MeV.cm2/mg, internal electro-magnetic interference (EMI) filter complying with most major satellite power buses, and a weight of less than 110 grams. The GH Series devices feature magnetically coupled feedback to ensure operation under the intended radiation environments.The output models range from 1.0 to 5.0 volts with current rating of up to 20 A and high efficiency as high as 87 percent. Output is adjustable with an external resistor for a precise output voltage setting with the adjustment range of plus or minus 10 percent of the rated output voltage. Other key features include remote output on/off control via Inhibit pin, remote sense compensation, synchronization for applications with multiple converters, and input under-voltage protection with under-voltage lockout (UVLO).For more information on the GH Series, visit www.irf.com.Prices for the GH2803R3S starts at $17,500 each, for five to 10 unit quantities. This product line is subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations.