Texas Instruments (TI) introduces a space-grade 200-V GaN FET gate driver that supports a wide voltage range from 22 V to 200 V and various radiation tolerance levels, improving power system efficiency in all types of space missions.

Texas Instruments (TI) today announced the introduction of a new family of half-bridge gallium nitride (GaN) field-effect transistor (FET) gate drivers featuring radiation tolerance and radiation hardening capabilities.

The product family includes the industry's first space-grade GaN FET gate drivers supporting up to 200 V operation.

TI's space-grade GaN FET gate drivers support the full voltage range required for satellite power system design, including power supply from solar panels to power distribution and conversion.

The family is available in pin-to-pin compatible ceramic and plastic packaging options and supports three voltage levels.

FET gate drivers using GaN technology offer the following benefits through size, weight and power (SWaP) optimization: △ improved performance of electrical systems, △ extended mission duration, △ reduced mass and volume of satellites, and △ minimized thermal management overhead.

200V GaN FET gate drivers are used for propulsion systems and solar panel input power conversion. Suitable for power distribution and conversion within satellites, the 60V and 22V versions are designed for this purpose.

Additionally, TI's space-grade GaN FET gate driver family offers a variety of space-qualified packaging options, including radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant, depending on three voltage levels.

TI's new gate drivers feature short rise and fall times and are designed to accurately drive GaN FETs, improving power supply size and density.

This allows the satellite to use the power generated by its solar panels more efficiently to perform its mission.

“Satellites help us better understand and navigate our world, performing vital missions ranging from providing global Internet services to monitoring climate and transportation activity,” said Javier Valle, product line manager for TI’s Aerospace Power Products business unit. “TI’s new product family helps satellites in low-, medium- and geostationary orbits operate for long periods of time in the extreme environments of space while maintaining high levels of power efficiency.”