These integrated circuits from Intersil are specifically designed to support a wide range of power rails for next-generation space avionics systems that demand very tight voltage tolerances, high currents, and efficient power conversion, while also withstanding the harsh conditions of space.

As core voltages decrease and currents increase in FPGAs and ASICs, meeting the stringent power requirements of these devices to ensure error-free operation becomes more challenging. This is especially critical in space missions, where power availability is limited and systems are exposed to extreme temperatures and radiation for extended periods.

To address these challenges, Renesas collaborated with AMD to develop a comprehensive power management solution for the AMD Versal platform. The Versal Adaptive SoC is an industry-leading space-grade computing platform that offers full radiation tolerance, accelerated AI inference, and high-bandwidth signal processing performance. The ISLVERSALDEMO2Z generates each of the power rails used by the Versal platform, including a 0.80 V core voltage source that can deliver up to 140 A (amps) of current.

“As the number of satellite and spacecraft launches increases, high-performance computing platforms like the Versal Adaptive SoC are becoming more prevalent and require new power solutions,” says Chris Stephens, vice president and general manager of Renesas’ HiRel division. “Our new reference design has been meticulously engineered to meet the rigorous demands of space operations while integrating all the essential components into a very small footprint. It’s an ideal turnkey solution for power management of the Versal Adaptive SoC.”

“Power management for high-performance digital platforms like our AMD XQRVC1902 Versal space-grade adaptive SoCs cannot be taken for granted, especially when used in the harsh environment of space,” said Minal Sawant, senior director of the Aerospace and Defense Vertical Market at AMD. “The combination of our radiation-tolerant Versal space-grade SoC and Renesas’ ISLVERSALDEMO2Z power solution provides our customers with the precision, efficiency, and reliability that are paramount for the successful execution of space missions.”

Renesas’ new reference design comes with a range of power management devices that have been tested and verified to withstand exposure to high levels of radiation. These include pulse-width modulation (PWM) controllers, GaN FET half-bridge controllers, point-of-load (POL) regulators, power and enable switches, and power sequencers. The devices come in compact packages, so the main power rail components occupy only 104 square centimeters of board surface area, roughly the size of two business cards.

Furthermore, ISLVERSALDEMO2Z includes all the design files customers need for quick integration into their systems, such as schematics, bills of materials, and Gerber PCB files.

Key Features of the New Products

Rad-Hard Dual Output PWM Controller ISL73847SEH 
Buck Controller
Single-phase or two-phase
Input voltage range from 4.5 V to 19 V
Output voltage as low as VREF 0.6 V +/- 0.67% (temperature, radiation, and lifetime)
Differential remote sensing of output voltage
Radiation tolerance, LDR (0.01 rad(Si)/s): 75 krad(Si)
Operating range: -55 °C to +125 °C

World's first dedicated Gan FET half-bridge controllers for space applications ISL73041SEH and ISL71441M
Interfaces with the ISL73847SEH synchronous buck controller
Programmable gate drive, 4.5 V to 5.5 V
Bidirectional communication with ISL73847SEH for startup synchronization and fault detection.
Fast and highly matched propagation delays between high-side and low-side drivers.
Wide VDD input voltage range, up to 13.2 V.
Best-in-class single-event effects (SEE) performance.
Available in ceramic (ISL73041SEH) or plastic (ISL71441M) packages.
Operating range: -55 °C to +125 °C.

Rad-Hard Regulator POL ISL73007SEH. 
Input voltage range: 3 V to 18 V.
Internal or external loop compensation.
1% reference voltage over temperature and radiation.
≥90% efficiency from 1 A to 3 A.
Industry's smallest footprint in a 14-lead dual ceramic flat package.
Radiation tolerance, LDR (0.01 rad(Si)/s): 75 krad(Si).
Operating range: -55 °C to +125 °C.