STMicroelectronics Introduces Next-Generation Satellite 2.5V Radiation Hardened Digital-to-Analog Converters

     The STMicroelectronics RHRDAC121 radiation hardened digital-to-analog converter (DAC) operates at a minimum voltage of 2.5V and is suitable for modern low-power system designs not supported by older 3.3V digital-to-analog converters. The new product is a 12-bit 1Msps digital-to-analog converter with built-in successive approximation register (SAR), which consumes only 0.6mW at the highest conversion rate and supply voltage. This low-power design helps reduce the size, Weight and Power (SWaP). Typical applications include telemetry, housekeeping and precision sensor gain adjustment. Features include an SPI-compatible serial output, an internal voltage reference, and an automatic power-on-reset to zero-volt output, which enable high accuracy with minimal external components, reducing circuit complexity and board area.

     RHRDAC121 maintains stable performance parameters under harsh conditions up to 100krad(Si) total ionizing dose (TID), no single-event latch-up (SEL) effects at up to 125MeV.cm²/mg, and has tested and analyzed single-event transients (SET) and single-event upset (SEU) effects, this product can be deployed directly into practical applications without the need for further device screening by higher-level criteria.

     The RHRDAC121 is qualified to the QML-V standard and is available in a hermetically sealed ceramic package with gold leads or solder dip leads, and is also available as a bare die product. The new products are designed and manufactured in Europe, using the 130nm full CMOS technology process that STMicroelectronics has built in the aerospace industry for 45 years. Funding for the development of the new digital-to-analog converter was provided by the French space agency CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales).