Radiation Hard DC/DC POL-Converter (Point of Load Converter)
● Key component for next generation communication satellites (but also applications in nuclear (e.g. LHC) & medical (e.g. CT equipment)
● Demanding technical specifications
• High input voltage >12V
• >4A per chip, >10A with multiphase operation
• Target efficiency >90%
• Protection circuitry
• Radiation hardness for total dose and single-event effects
● No other product available (all <7V due to power device failure)
● Lower grade products are not available for European/Asean customers because products from USA are export restricted (ITAR)
● Currently running R&D project with IHP + KT, (partial) DLR financing
● advICo is experienced with rad-hard DC/DC converters for lower voltages (6V input)
Comparison of radiation hardness between an old advICo design EN5360 with several competitors (study by Yale University, made for CERN/LHC equipment screening)