Optimized satellite power distribution with space-rated 3U VPX card solutions
DALLAS, TX - March 11, 2025 - Teledyne Micropac, a leader in space-level microcircuit modules and components for mission-critical applications, today debuted a patent-pending, standard 3U VPX card. This card enables engineers to design high-efficiency, power-dense satellites for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions while achieving safety and performance goals. The new VPX-3U-SP-PSC family of power supply cards provides up to 600W total output power in a small package the size of an index card.
Teledyne Micropac’s COTS power cards, designed for 3U Open VPX systems, help overcome critical barriers to time-to-market. The VPX3U-SP-PSC accelerates design and integration times with PMBus, VITA 62, VITA 48, and VITA 78 compliance. Teledyne Micropac’s planned stocking of standard catalog items ensures shorter lead times.
The first product in the VPX-3U-SP-PSC converts 28 Volts to 6 different power rails with a hardware-selectable or software-commanded range of voltages. The power rails are 3.3V, 5V, and 12V (main) and 3.3V and +/- 12V (auxiliary). The PSC supports many PMBus commands. The cards will survive TID of 30KRad and are immune to SEL of 37MeV-cm2/mg. They comply with MIL-STD-704F, MIL-STD-461, and MIL-STD-1275E, and VITA 46.0, VITA 46.11, VITA 48.0, VITA 62.0, and VITA 78.0 standards.
"Satellite designers face a unique set of challenges to optimize system efficiency and time-to-market," said Bill King, VP of Microelectronics at Teledyne Micropac. "This 3U VPX offers flexibility with software or hardware output voltage control, helping engineers reach the highest levels of power supply performance.” For more information, visit www.teledynemicropac.com.
Teledyne Micropac is showcasing innovations for the space community, including the VPX-3U-SP-PSC-28VDC, at Satellite 2025 in Washington, D.C. Demonstrations will show system-level innovations to increase power density and efficiency of power supplies, fiber optic transceivers, and more. Visit Teledyne Micropac at Booth 1519 for more information.
Availability and Pricing: Designers can now order the VPX-3U-SP-PSC-28VDC-E0 (for non-radiation environments) and the VPX3U-SP-PSC-28VDC-T1 (for radiation environments). Please contact the factory for pricing.
