New Radiation-Hardened, Highly Accurate Temperature Sensor for Satellites from Intersil

Intersil Corporation, a leading provider of innovative power management and precision analog solutions, today introduced the ISL71590SEH, a radiation-hardened, low power, current output temperature sensor able to deliver a high level of accuracy over radiation exposure, time and temperature. The new ISL71590SEH temperature sensor is ideal for remote temperature sensing in satellites and other space applications.

Developers of the most advanced next generation satellite systems require temperature sensors that provide accuracy over the mission life of a satellite, eliminating the need for expensive radiation lot acceptance testing or spot shielding. With the ISL71590SEH's +/-1.7°C accuracy over temperature and at most -1°C change in accuracy over low dose rate radiation, the device is able to serve satellite temperature sensing functions that support most of a system's telemetry data and calibration accuracy. The ISL71590SEH provides highly accurate, reliable temperature sensing and linearity over the full military temperature range of -55°C to 125°C, as well as over 50krad (Si) low dose rate and 300krad (Si) high dose rate irradiation.

The ISL71590SEH temperature sensor features a high impedance current output that allows the part to be insensitive to voltage drops across long wires. With a voltage between 4V and 33V on the input pin, the ISL71590SEH acts as a temperature sensitive current source with a scale factor of 1uA/K (i.e. 1uA/°C). It operates in the full temperature range without the need of additional circuitry, to produce results with +/-1.7°C accuracy.

The ISL71590SEH also offers power advantages, with requirements as low as 1.5mW (5V supply at 25°C). This allows it to be used in satellite signal chains and in applications such as temperature compensation networks, flow rate analysis, and biasing proportional to temperature.

Features and Specifications

• Outstanding, industry leading high and low dose rate performance
• Excellent temperature accuracy and long term stability ensure accurate measurements (+/-0.25°C over 1000 hours at +125°C.)
• High output impedance ( > 10MΩ) allows variations in the power supply voltage
• Can withstand a forward voltage of 40V outside of heavy ion radiation (37V under 86 MeV·cm²/mg heavy ion irradiation) and a reverse voltage of 40V

Pricing and Availability

The ISL71590SEH temp sensor is available now in a 2-terminal isolated flatpack easily mountable on a system chassis or circuit board, with prices starting at $324.55 each in 1,000-unit quantities. An evaluation board, the ISL71590SEHEV1Z, also is available at a price of $232.45. For more information visit: www.intersil.com/products/ISL71590SEH