Radiation Hardening of Point-Of-Load (POL) Converters

Due to growing defense and aerospace system complexity and associated power management and distribution schemes, there is an ever increasing need for high efficiency, Point-of-Load (POL) converters to replace the centrally tailored power distribution schemes of the past. Power conditioning approaches must address HAENS survivability requirements while responding to stringent interceptor and space-system sensor, avionics and electronics power conditioning needs. Further power solutions must deliver enhanced reliability as-well-as significantly improved size, weight and power (SWAP) performance. Meeting these demands requires HAENS survivable POL converters capable of supporting high input voltages and having the flexibility to deliver multiple, stable output voltages down to 1.2V. The above requirements can be met by hardening existing commercial products. The objective of this effort is to implement specific RHBD, non-invasive, RHBP and packaging techniques and electrical performance enhancement strategies to an existing Hi Rel commercial POL device, to achieve both improved conversion efficiency and HAENS survivability. Knowledge gained, can be applied to an existing family of commercial POL devices and will provide a wide selection of survivable power management devices to meet diverse and evolving missile defense power management requirements.