Low voltage, high performance digital components typically have power requirements that are very difficult to achieve with today’s satellite power systems. The small voltage tolerances, large steps in load current when changing operating modes, and fast current slew rates make regulation of the voltage rails extremely challenging. Moreover, the currents associated with distributing these low voltages can easily be tens of amperes, resulting in large cables and connectors and high distribution power losses. Thus, the centralized power architecture incorporated in systems flying today is impractical for the low voltage, high current components of future satellites. To realize the benefits offered by the next generation of digital components, a new radiation-hardened, POL-based distributed power architecture is necessary.

There is no solution available today that is suitable for a space-qualified POL architecture. There are two major roadblocks to realizing a high efficiency POL converter for space-based applications: development of a space-qualified POL controller and radiation-hardened power MOSFETs suitable for the POL application. This project intends to develop these critical components. Furthermore, this project will develop new rad-hard CMOS capabilities and explore the tradeoffs between radiation and electrical performance in power MOSFETs.