Rad-Hard, Wide Bandgap, Single Inductor Multiple Output (SIMO) Converters

All space missions utilize low-voltage power for small signal, processor core and peripheral systems. The traditional approach for non-isolated point of load (POL) converter systems is to perform multi-stage down-conversions from space bus down to 5V, then down to the lower core voltages for provision of power to processors and small-signal components. We are proposing to research and develop a new high-performance, single-stage, multiple-output aerospace grade POL converter that reduces total size/weight costs of supplying POL voltages by up to 50%. The proposed approach is centered on a single inductor multiple output (SIMO) converter design that aims to demonstrate significant improvements to the size, weight and power (SWaP) metrics thought implementation of a high-density, high-speed switching GaN-based power architecture combined with a custom RadHard by design ASIC controller. The importance here is that a SIMO converter can furnish many independently regulated POL outputs using a single power stage, eliminating all but a one inductor across multiple POL supplies. The proposed SIMO converter approach presents a multi-output converter topology that, while eliminating the need for multiple magnetic components, can provide numerous fully-independent, well-regulated outputs with industry leading electrical performance.