ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10870
Open Date: 05/10/2021 15:49 CEST
Closing Date: 17/11/2021 13:00 CEST

Most DC/DC converters used in a satellite have to close the loop across primary to secondary power insulation barrier. This is a key feature that enables performance, reliability and stability. However, there are few options to do this with a magnetic system and none is European. The development of this device will have a large open market in Europe and will help improving a large number of power converters.The most usual way to close the control feedback loop in DC/DC converter across primary to secondary power insulation barrier is to use optocouplers. However, these devices suffer major performance degradation in the space radiation environment. Thus, it is more efficient to implement the feedback loop by means of a magnetic device. In order to implement this system efficiently, an Integrated Circuit (IC) is needed. Otherwise, the discrete implementation will occupy a large area on the printed circuit board (PCB).The proposed device is designed to solve many of the problems associated with closing a feedback control loop across a voltage isolation boundary. As a stable and reliable alternative to an optocoupler, magnetic coupling devices feature an amplitude modulation system which allows a loop error signal to be coupled with a small RF transformer or capacitor. High-frequency modulation allows the use of smaller, less expensive transformers which can readily be built to meet the isolation requirements of space power systems. The device should allow an external clock input to synchronize to a system clock or to the switching frequency of the converter. A monitoring and telemetry system should also be implemented since it will allow implementing alarms about the status of the control system. An < 1% accurate reference, and a high gain general purpose amplifier should be included in order to implement high precision and stable loops. The implementation of the isolation transformer could even be done inside the IC, simplifying this way even more the feedback loop circuit. In such case, special attention should be taken to meet isolation requirements on the space power system.The following tasks will be done in the frame of this activity: Topology trade off to place the isolation transformer outside or inside the IC Package trade off Design of the die Manufacturing of the 1st run design Packaging the component Component test and characterisation Compilation of issues to be redesigned in the 2nd run Qualification of the component

Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. Quality
Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Christophe Rene R. Seynaeve
Initiating Service: TEC-EPM
IP Measure: N/A
Prog. Reference: E/0904-611 – GSTP Element 1 Dev
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: DE
Technology Keywords: 3-D-I-Power Conditioning PCUs, DC/DC converters, SAR, BDRs, BCRs etc. / 23-B-II-Silicon-Based Components
Products Keywords: 1-A-3.1-a-Current and voltage sensors and limiters / 1-C-1-h-Monolithic Microcircuits (including MMICs) / 2-B-1-h-Monolithic Microcircuits (including MMICs) / 2-J-8.1.1-a-*See EEE Components