High-Efficiency Radiation-Hard Solar Array Interface to Spacecraft Power System

The Phase II SAI prototype will be developed using COTS GaN switches and CMOS drivers. During Phase II Alphacore will design and fabricate a rad-hard CMOS driver ASIC to provide electrical and on-chip algorithmic control of the GaN switches. The SAI and its components will be tested and measured under varying environmental conditions, including across temperature and radiation extremes. The GaN devices will also be measured with respect to key operating parameters, such as RDSon and leakage, that can adversely affect the lifetime performance of the system. We will also explore the possibility of developing a customized GaN solution (e.g., a MMIC) for Phase III implementation. The key Phase II deliverables will be a working prototype of the solar array interface and its demonstration to the Air Force.