Power management solution for AMD space-grade versal adaptive SoC

Developed in collaboration with AMD, the ISLVERSALDEMO2Z reference design integrates key radiation-hardened components for power management, including four new and recently released products in a compact design. These Intersil-brand ICs are specifically designed to support a wide range of power rails for next-generation space avionics systems that demand tight voltage tolerances, high current, and efficient power conversion while withstanding the harsh environment of space.

As core voltages decrease and currents increase for FPGAs and ASICs, it has become more difficult to meet the stringent power requirements of these devices to ensure that they operate error-free. This is especially critical in space missions where power availability is limited, and systems are exposed to extreme temperatures and radiation for an extended period of time.

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

“As the number of satellite and spacecraft launches continues to accelerate rapidly, high-performance computing platforms such as the Versal Adaptive SoC are becoming more prevalent, necessitating new power solutions,” said Chris Stephens, Vice President, and General Manager of the HiRel Business Division at Renesas. “Our new reference design has been meticulously engineered to meet the rigorous demands of operations in space, while integrating all of the essential components into a very small footprint. It is an ideal turnkey solution for Versal Adaptive SoC power management.”

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

Renesas’ new reference design comes with an array 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 drivers, point-of-load (POL) regulators, power and enable switches, and power sequencers. The devices come in small-footprint packages, so the core power rail components take up just 104 square centimetres of board area, approximately equivalent to two business cards.

Additionally, the ISLVERSALDEMO2Z comes with all the design files that customers need for rapid integration into their systems, including schematics, bill-of-materials, and PCB Gerber files.

Key features of the newly released products

ISL73847SEH Rad-hard dual output PWM controller

• Synchronous buck controller
• Single- or dual-phase
• Output voltage as low as VREF: 0.6V+/- 0.67% (temperature, radiation, and life)
• Differential remote sensing of output voltage
• Radiation tolerant, LDR (0.01 rad(Si)/s): 75krad(Si)
• Operating range: –55 °C to +125 °C

ISL73041SEH and ISL71441M: Dedicated Gan FET half-bridge drivers for space applications

• Interfaces with ISL73847SEH synchronous buck controller
• Programmable gate drive, 4.5V to 5.5V
• Bi-directional communications with ISL73847SEH for start-up synchronisation and fault detection.
• Highly matched, fast propagation delays between high- and low-side drivers
• Wide VDD input voltage range, up to 13.2V
• Best-in-class Single Event Effects (SEE) performance
• Available in ceramic (ISL73041SEH) or plastic packaging (ISL71441M)
• Operating range: –55 °C to +125 °C

ISL73007SEH Rad-Hard POL regulator

• 3V to 18V input voltage range
• Internal or external loop compensation
• 1% reference voltage over temperature and radiation
• Efficiency ≥90% from 1A to 3A
• Industry’s smallest footprint in 14 lead ceramic dual flatpack package
• Radiation tolerant, LDR (0.01rad(Si)/s): 75krad(Si)
• Operating range: –55 °C to +125 °C

The reference design along with the new products will be demonstrated at the Renesas booth (# 112/113) at the upcoming IEEE Nuclear & Space Radiation Effects Conference (NSREC), 24—28 July 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Renesas Intersil brand has a long history in the space industry spanning more than six decades, beginning with the founding of Radiation in 1950. Renesas leverages their experience to deliver efficient, thermally optimised, and reliable SMD, MIL-STD-883, and MIL-PRF 38535 Class-V/Q Intersil-branded products for the defence, high-reliability (Hi-Rel), and rad-hard space markets. Renesas Intersil-brand rad-hard ICs support subsystems for mission critical applications in data communications transfer, power supplies and power conditioning, general protection circuitry, and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C).

Availability

All products are available and the reference design is available upon request in limited quantities.