STMicroelectronics LEO series radiation-hardened ICs

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STMicroelectronics has released its LEO series of radiation-hardened power, analog and logic ICs in plastic packages to help small, low-cost satellites to deliver services like Earth observation and broadband internet from low Earth orbit (LEO). The ICs are designed to provide important functions for the satellites’ electronic circuitry.

The first nine devices in the series include a data converter, a voltage regulator, an LVDS transceiver, a line driver and five logic gates that are used throughout systems like power generation and distribution, onboard computers, telemetry star trackers and transceivers. They are robust enough to withstand the challenges of the LEO environment and, in particular, to meet the requirement for radiation hardness.

While the required performance and quality assurance for electronic components to be used in LEO satellites are close to those for traditional satellites, the level of immunity required is lower. Historically, parts for space applications have been housed in hermetically sealed ceramic packages to pass rigorous QML or ESCC qualification and production processes. The LEO rad-hard plastic parts are ready to use in space applications, with optimised qualification and production flows. They require no additional qualification or upscreening from their users, thus eliminating risk.

The series offers a radiation hardness match to the LEO mission profile, with a total ionisation dose immunity up to 50 krad(Si), high immunity to total non-ionising dose and single event latch-up (SEL) immunity up to 62.5 MeV-cm²/mg. The parts are assembled on the same production line used for ST’s AEC-Q100 automotive-qualified ICs, allowing the series to benefit from the statistical process control that enables high-volume production at consistently high quality. External terminations’ finishing results in the absence of whiskers in space, while being compatible with both leaded (Pb) and pure tin mounting processes as well as REACH compliant.

For more information: www.st.com/leo.