Space Power Conversion Electronics (SPCE)

Background
The DARPA Microsystems Technology Office is soliciting research proposals for the development of compact point-of-load (POL) voltage converters that are radiation-tolerant and efficient. The Space Power Conversion Electronics (SPCE) program aims to demonstrate a 48 V-to-1 V POL converter with radiation-tolerance > 75 MeV-cm2/mg linear energy transfer (LET) heavy ion/proton radiation, efficiency > 85 %, and power density >500 W/in3.

The current space power systems suffer from low efficiency due to derating the operating voltage to achieve radiation-tolerance, severely limiting satellite available power, capabilities, and battery lifetime.

Work Details
The SPCE program seeks to develop radiation-tolerant high-voltage transistors with high performance and integration technology to enable compact, high conversion ratio POL converters for space applications. The program is structured into two main technical areas (TA): TA1 focuses on developing radiation-tolerant high-performance high-voltage transistors and high-efficiency POL DC-DC converters, while TA2 focuses on fundamental research on innovative high-risk/high payoff radiation-tolerant high-voltage transistors. Performers in this program should address two key Technical Challenges (TCs) related to achieving a high-performance high-voltage transistor that is radiation-tolerant and achieving a low-loss, high-voltage integrated circuit technology that is radiation-tolerant.

Period of Performance
The SPCE program will be a 50-month program encompassing two main technical areas (TA): TA1 will be a three-phase program effort with a 20-month Phase 1 (Base), 18-month Phase 2 (Option), and 12-month Phase 3 (Option). TA2 will be a two-phase program effort with a 20-month Phase 1 (Base) and an 18-month Phase 2 (Option).