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Application Note
Using Space Grade Power Components to Power
Microchip RTAX-S/SL FPGA
Kenneth Matthews
ABSTRACT
This application note provides a recommended space rated power design for the Microchip® RTAX-S/SL™
FPGAs. The report outlines recommendations for the individual power rails and the benefits of rad-hard (-SP)
and rad-tolerant (-SEP) devices. Then, example power block diagrams are provided for each of the different
power design variations to include both 5-V and 12-V inputs.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................................2
2 Space Qualification Flow Overview...................................................................................................................................... 2
3 Space Rated Power Devices..................................................................................................................................................3
4 Example Power Maps............................................................................................................................................................. 4
4.1 Rad-Hard Power for RTAX................................................................................................................................................. 4
4.2 Rad-Tolerant Power for RTAX............................................................................................................................................ 5
5 Summary................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
6 References.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
List of Figures
Figure 4-1. Rad-Hard Power for RTAX........................................................................................................................................ 4
Figure 4-2. Rad-Tolerant Power for RTAX................................................................................................................................... 5
List of Tables
Table 2-1. Space Enhanced Plastic and QMLV-RHA...................................................................................................................2
Table 3-1. Selection Guide for Space Grade Power Management.............................................................................................. 3
Trademarks
RTAX-S/SL™ is a trademark of Microchip.
Microchip® is a registered trademark of Microsemi.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Introduction www.ti.com
1 Introduction
Architectural advancements continue to be developed in FPGAs with the growing need for more on-board
processing and the ability to re-program in space applications. As such, Microchip's RTAX-S/SL line of FPGAs
has seen a wide use in different satellite payloads. As new FPGAs are developed, the power requirements have
continued to evolve requiring the need for higher currents, and lower voltages. While the RTAX in particular has
low-power consumption, this results in the need for a power supply that must be efficient and be resilient to
withstand the harsh environment of space.
This application note reviews two product grades TI offers with proven radiation performance and provides a
selection guide for comparing the different power management devices within each flow. The report also covers
the value the space grade power management portfolio brings to the overall system, and provides example
power maps for both rad-hard and rad-tolerant implementations.
2 Space Qualification Flow Overview
TI has had a long history supporting the space industry by providing hermetically sealed QMLV (Qualified
Manufacturer List, Class V) and RHA (Radiation Hardness Assured) components all in accordance with the
MIL-PRF-38535 specification. In addition to the qualification standard, these devices are typically supported with
extensive Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and Single Event Effects (SEE) radiation reports that are readily available in
the product folder for each device. TI continues to support the highest-reliability space applications with ongoing
and new development in hermetically sealed QMLV devices.
However, with the reduction in launch costs and stricter budgets, this has resulted in a different approach to
satellite manufacturing for new commercial and government applications. To provide a design, TI has provided
more cost-effective and smaller designs through a growing portfolio of devices in rad-tolerant Space Enhanced
Plastic (denoted by -SEP) to meet the reduced assurance requirements for LEO and MEO constellations.
Table 2-1 provides an overview between the differences of Space Enhanced Plastic and QMLV-RHA. For more
information on TI's rad-tolerant flow, read how to Reduce the Risk in Low-Earth Orbit Missions with Space
Enhanced Plastic Products.
Table 2-1. Space Enhanced Plastic and QMLV-RHA
Rad-tolerant (-SEP) Rad-hard (-SP)
Packaging Plastic Ceramic-Hermetic
Single Controlled Baseline Yes Yes
Meets DLA spec for less than 2% Sn Au Al
Production Burn-in No Yes
Typical Temperature Range -55°C - 125°C -55°C - 125°C
Radiation: TID Characterization 30 to 50 krad(Si) 100 krad(Si)
Radiation Lot Acceptance Testing (RLAT) 20, 30, or 50 krad(Si) 100 krad(Si)
Radiation: SEE Characterization 43MeV-cm2/mg 75MeV-cm2/mg
Outgassing tested per ASTM E595 Yes N/A
Lot Level Temp Cycle Yes Yes
Per tube, tray, or reel single lot date code Yes Yes
Life Test Per Wafer Lot No Yes
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www.ti.com Space Rated Power Devices
3 Space Rated Power Devices
TI's portfolio of leading power density ICs is capable of providing a full power management design through a
selection of buck converters, LDOs, PWM controllers, and gate drivers as shown in Table 3-1.
The TPS50601A-SP is a 6 A highly efficient buck converter with over a decade in flight heritage that can be used
to power the core and auxiliary rails. The 7 V rated input provides plenty of margin to operate from a standard
nominal 5 V power rail. The footprint compatible TPS7H4002-SP can also be used as it is architecturally very
similar to the TPS50601A-SP with a lower current limit for smaller inductor sizing which provides additional
savings in board space. For a similar 6 A rad-tolerant design, the TPS7H4010-SEP provides an extremely
compact design in a 4×6 mm WQFN package and is the widest Vin space grade switching regulator at 32 Vin.
The RHA buck converters are typically limited to a 7 Vin recommended operating condition. If a designer needs
to accommodate a higher input voltage, the TPS7H5001-SP PWM controller can be used to build a discrete
buck converter. This highly flexible controller paired with a gate driver is capable of working with both Si and
GaN FETs to be used as a first stage conversion or in a high efficient GaN supply that powers the core rail
directly. The 0.6 V reference with +0.7%/-1.0% reference accuracy provides a very tight tolerance to meet the
core voltage. To pair with the controller, the TPS7H6003-SP is a half-bridge gate driver to drive eGaN FETs.
This driver has integrated LDOs with 5V output on the low-side and high-side to properly control the gate drive
voltage and added input interlock protection to protect against shoot-through events for a highly reliable design.
For noise sensitive rails, TI can provide a number of low-dropout regulators. The TPS7H1101A-SP offers the
most integrated design with enable, configurable soft-start, and power good for power sequencing as well as
added protective features like current foldback protection. For a rad-tolerant alternative, the TPS73801-SEP
provides an extremely versatile LDO to be used across its wide input range (2.2 - 20 Vin) all in a small plastic 6.5
× 3.5 mm SOT package. The TPS7H1111-SP and TPS7H1111-SEP can be used as alternatives for applications
needing high PSRR and noise performance.
Table 3-1. Selection Guide for Space Grade Power Management
Function Vin Range (V) Lowest Vout (V) Iout (A)
TPS50601A-SP Buck Converter 3-7 0.8 6
TPS7H4002-SP Buck Converter 3-7 0.8 3
TPS7H1101A-SP LDO 1.5 - 7 0.8 3
TPS7H5001-SP PWM Controller Scalable 0.6 Scalable
TPS7H6003-SP eGaN half-bridge driver Scalable - -
TPS7H4010-SEP Buck Converter 3.5 - 32 1 6
TPS73801-SEP LDO 2.2 - 20 1.21 1
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Example Power Maps www.ti.com
4 Example Power Maps
The following sections provide two example power maps. One section with rad-hard hermetically sealed
devices for the highest reliability needs, and one section with space enhanced plastic devices for new space
applications.
4.1 Rad-Hard Power for RTAX
Figure 4-1 shows an example power map for a power management design capable of meeting 100 krad(Si) in
TID performance and DSEE immune to 75 MeV-cm2/mg.
12V Supply 5V Supply Microchip RTAX
TPS50601A-SP VCCA CORE: 1.5 V / 3 A
TPS7H4002-SP VCCIBx : 3.3, 2.5, 1.5 V / 1A
TPS7H6003-SP TPS7H4002-SP VCCDA : 3.3, 2.5 V / 500mA
for eGaN
Or Si Half-Bridge
driver Rails can be bundled if same
voltage is used
TPS7H5001-SP TPS7H1101A-SP VPUMP : 3.3 V / 500mA
Legend
= Rad-hard hermetic devices
Figure 4-1. Rad-Hard Power for RTAX
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www.ti.com Example Power Maps
4.2 Rad-Tolerant Power for RTAX
Figure 4-2 shows an example power map for a power management design capable of meeting 30 krad(Si) in TID
performance and DSEE immune to 43 MeV-cm2/mg.
12V Supply Microchip RTAX
TPS7H4010-SEP VCCA CORE: 1.5 V / 3 A
TPS7H4010-SEP VCCIBx : 3.3, 2.5, 1.5 V / 1A
TPS7H4010-SEP VCCDA : 3.3, 2.5 V / 500mA
Rails can be bundled if same
voltage is used
TPS73801-SEP VPUMP : 3.3 V / 500mA
Legend
= Rad-tolerant plastic devices
Figure 4-2. Rad-Tolerant Power for RTAX
5 Summary
TI space grade power management product offerings provides a full board design for powering the Microsemi
RTAX. Two different space qualification flows are offered to support a dynamic range of varying mission
assurance profiles. With easily accessible radiation reports and a robust set of documentation and design tools,
designers need to feel confident in designing a robust and reliable power supply. Using space grade ICs with
proven data can help reduce mission risk and enable faster time to market, in addition to the technical benefits
the power management portfolio provides.
6 References
• Microchip, RTAX-S/SL and RTAX-DSP Radiation-Tolerant FPGAs, data sheet.
• Microchip, Designing Radiation-Tolerant Power-Supplies for the RTAX-S/SL/DSP FPGA, application note.
• Texas Instruments, Reduce the Risk in Low-Earth Orbit Missions with Space Enhanced Plastic Products.,
application note.
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