The STMICRO RHRDAC121 radiation-hardened digital-to-analog Converter (DAC) has a minimum operating voltage of 2.5V and is suitable for modern low-power system designs not supported by older 3.3V digital-to-analog converters.

     The new product is a 12-bit 1Msps digital-to-analog converter with a built-in Successive Approximation Register (SAR) that consumes only 0.6mW at the highest conversion rate and supply voltage, a low-power design that helps reduce the size, weight and power consumption (SWaP) of the next generation satellite. Typical applications include telemetry, housekeeping, and precision sensor gain adjustment. Features such as SPI compatible serial output, internal voltage reference and automatic power-on reset to zero volt output allow for high precision with minimal external components, reducing circuit complexity and board area.

     RHRDAC121 maintained stable performance parameters at a total ionizing dose (TID) of up to 100krad(Si), and showed no single particle latch (SEL) effect at a total ionizing dose (tid) of up to 125 mev. cm²/mg. The single particle transient (SET) and single particle flip (SEU) effects are tested and analyzed. As a result, the product can be directly deployed to practical applications without further screening devices according to higher standards.

     The RHRDAC121 is certified to QML-V standard and is sealed in ceramic with a gold lead or dip weld lead. It is also available in nude products. The new products are designed and manufactured in Europe, using the 130nm all-CMOS technology that stmicroelectronics has been working in the space industry for 45 years. Funding for the development of the new digital-to-analog converters was provided by the French space agency, CNES (Centre National d 'Etudes Spatiales).