Solid State Power Switching for NASA's Deep Space Missions

Abstract

Based on the SSPS development, JPL proposed to develop the next generation power switch utilizing the latest technology available and validate it on the NMP Deep Space One. The purpose of the development was to combine the digital and analog control functions into a single mixed signal ASIC and package it with a power MOSFET in MCM packaging. The Power Actuation and Switching Module (PASM) was developed by a team of JPL, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. JPL has focused the development of solid-state power switches to meet the challenging environmental requirements of deep space missions. Three developments have infused the latest technology and advance the capability of the design. The Cassini Solid State Power Switch (SSPS) utilized hybrid packaging technology and digital gate arrays. The New Millennium Programs Deep Space One development used mixed signal ASICs and multi-chip-module (MCM) packaging. The X2000 development increased the functional and environmental capability using mixed signal ASICs and MCM packaging. Each development has enhanced the functional and environmental capability for deep space missions. Once the technology of the PASM had been validated as an experiment on Deep Space One, a new development started to expand the overall capability of the PASM. The X2000 development utilized the same technology, but improved the radiation tolerance to survive the Jovian-Europa environment. The capability to fire pyrotechnic devices and actuate valves was added to the PASM.