International Rectifier and Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Company Introduce Industry's First 90% Efficient All-Hybrid Electronic Power Conditioner Platform for Spacecraft.

Technology Writers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 2002

International Rectifier, IR(r) (NYSE:IRF) and Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Company Limited, MEE, today introduces the industry's first 90% efficient all-hybrid space-level Electronic Power Conditioner (EPC).

EPC converts satellite's primary bus voltage into well-regulated secondary output rails for the host solid-state power amplifier (SSPA), used in satellite communication systems. The new EPC platform is 90% efficient, and will allow spacecraft system designers to reduce power management circuit size and weight, while meeting electrical system performance requirements, and improving overall spacecraft efficiency.

Bel Lazar, Vice-President of IR's Advanced Analog facility in Santa Clara, Calif., stated, "The new MEE/IR EPC platform represents a significant milestone in hi-rel power hybrid management systems. Every spacecraft designer is interested in higher efficiency per unit volume and mass. The new EPC platform leads the industry in hybrid power density, and includes all essential power conditioning elements. The new design platform is expected to replace less efficient, higher mass designs, and will compete favorably for future design opportunities with similar EPC requirements."

Seiji Wataya, Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Company President, stated, "By mobilizing the strength of both MEE and IR, we have successfully developed the industry's highest level EPC with small dimensions, low mass, high efficiency and low noise. Our EPC is expected to enhance high quality communication systems. We expect to have our EPC platform devices used for many satellites in the future."

The EPC platform is a full bridge topology converter with secondary synchronous rectifiers operating at 200kHz. Input voltage range is from 26V to 43V, with other ranges available. Typical output power is 56W. The main output voltage can be externally set between +6V to +8V at 8.5A, with secondary output voltages of +5V at 0.4A and -5V at 0.4A. The design configuration can be easily modified for increased output power. Custom output voltages for unique requirements are possible.

The new platform has bus current telemetry, on/off telecommand and output sequencing circuits. It also has built-in over-current protection and under-voltage lockout circuits, as well as an EMI filter to enhance performance. All elements used within the EPC platform hybrid are Class K rated. Performance is specified over an operating temperature range of -40 degrees Celsius to +80 degrees Celsius.

Customers can request units for system evaluation and a detailed specification can be obtained by contacting IR's Advanced Analog facility Inside Sales Group at 408-727-0500.

More information on International Rectifier hi-rel components and subsystems is available on the IR Web site. Go to http://www.irf.com/product-info/govt-space/

Pricing and Availability

The new devices are available unscreened and screened to Class K per MIL-PRF-38534. Contact your local IR sales office or IR's Advanced Analog facility Inside Sales Group for pricing information.

About International Rectifier Hi-Rel Products Group

International Rectifier Hi-Rel Products Group is recognized as a leading supplier of radiation-hardened MOSFETs and multi-chip module DC-DC converters, radiation-tolerant and industry standard voltage regulators, power modules and other discrete semiconductors. IR products are used in aerospace, commercial aircraft, military, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, industrial controls and communication applications. More information on IR's Hi-Rel Products Group can be found at http://hirel.irf.com/

About Mitsubishi Electric Engineering

Mitsubishi Electric Engineering (MEE) is recognized as the core engineering company for Mitsubishi Electric Group who designs and develops electric/electronic equipment, devices, software, systems. High-tech electronics is one of the major engineering technologies of MEE with expertise in digital/analog circuit design and optical/micro-wave circuit design. Equipment design for satellites is one of the applied areas of aforesaid technologies, and particularly, MEE is specialized in designing power systems utilized microwave equipment for communication satellites.

Learn more at http://www.mee.co.jp (Japanese only).

Trademark Notice

IR(r) and HEXFET(r) are registered trademarks of International Rectifier Corporation. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.