Microchip’s New Space-Grade DC-DC Converter Delivers Compact Reliability
When it comes to designing electronics for space, the rules are different. Reliability isn’t optional, failure isn’t just inconvenient—it’s catastrophic. Every watt, every gram, and every inch counts. And that’s exactly the environment Microchip Technology is targeting with its latest addition to its growing portfolio of space-grade components: the SA15-28, a 15W radiation-hardened DC-DC power converter, and its companion SF100-28 EMI filter.
The SA15-28 and SF100-28 aren’t just new SKUs—they’re a continuation of a strategy to make space systems more modular, customizable, and available off the shelf.
A Small Converter with a Big Mission
The SA15-28 is just 60 grams and 1.68 cubic inches. Triple 5V outputs make it an excellent candidate for pairing with point-of-load converters or LDOs feeding FPGAs and microprocessors. That’s an increasingly common setup in modern satellite subsystems, whether you’re working with imaging payloads, flight computers, or communications arrays.
But what makes this unit really stand out is its construction. Unlike traditional hybrid converters that lock you into fixed designs and slow qualification paths, the SA15-28 uses discrete components. That decision opens the door to faster customization and system-level optimization.
Shielded, Filtered, and Ready to Fly
Alongside the converter, the SF100-28 EMI filter offers 100W total support and is fully compatible with Microchip’s broader space power ecosystem. If you’re already using the SA50 series or SF200 filter, integrating the new pair should be seamless. That’s a strategic move: Microchip isn’t just launching products; they’re building an interoperable framework that scales with your mission.
Both devices are designed to thrive in the harshest operating conditions, from −55°C to +125°C, and the SA15-28 is rated for up to 100 krad TID. Whether you’re building for LEO, GEO, or beyond, that kind of radiation tolerance makes it a flexible building block for long-term reliability.
Scaling from COTS to Flight-Proven Systems
Perhaps the most compelling part of Microchip’s approach is the scalability. You can start with COTS for prototyping, shift to radiation-tolerant versions for in-orbit demos, and eventually move to fully qualified flight versions—all within the same design framework. That’s not just cost-effective; it’s engineering-smart.
For engineers ready to spec it in, the SA15-28 and SF100-28 are available now through Microchip.
