Designing for the Extreme: How the SA15-28 Triple Series Powers Critical Missions

Consider the meticulous planning required for a mission to Mars. Every component on your spacecraft must be as dependable as an experienced mountain guide—capable of enduring extreme conditions, from intense cosmic radiation to dramatic temperature fluctuations. Just as a guide is essential for the safety and success of an expedition, selecting the right power converter is critical to affirming that your sensitive electronics operate reliably in the harsh environment of space.

In this article, you will learn why the SA15-28 Triple Series isolated DC-to-DC converter is a strong choice for powering mission-critical electronics in space and military applications. We will examine its key features, the technology that underpins its durability and its role within the broader context of radiation-hardened power solutions. By the end, you will understand what differentiates this converter and how it can add value to your next high-reliability project.

As space exploration and advanced military systems continue to evolve, the need for robust, radiation-hardened electronics has never been greater. Conventional commercial power converters often fail to perform in these demanding environments, where radiation can compromise or destroy sensitive components. The industry trend is clear: mission success increasingly relies on components specifically engineered for resilience, reliability and compliance with rigorous standards. Our SA series, including the SA15-28, is purpose-built to address these challenges, utilizing proven technology and stringent qualification processes to provide confidence in mission-critical applications.

1. Compact Power, Significant Impact
   The SA15-28 Triple Series delivers up to 15W of output power in a compact form factor (2.27” × 1.72” × 0.484”). Its discrete surface-mount design enables straightforward integration and customization, making it fit for applications where space and flexibility are essential.
2. Engineered for Extreme Environments
   Radiation hardening is central to the SA15-28’s design. It offers immunity to Total Ionizing Dose (TID) levels exceeding 100 krad (Si) and Single Event Effects (SEE) up to 82 MeV·cm²/mg, providing reliable operation even in the most challenging radiation environments encountered in space and military missions.
3. Versatile, Isolated Outputs
   Featuring a flyback converter topology, the SA15-28 provides three isolated, semi-regulated outputs. These outputs can be configured in series or parallel, supporting a wide range of system architectures and serving as a dependable frontend for post-regulation stages.
4. EMI Compliance and Exceptional Reliability
   Compliance with electromagnetic interference (EMI) standards is essential in mission-critical systems. The SA15-28 is designed to meet MIL-STD-461 EMI requirements when used with an external filter, such as our SF100-28-28S. With a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 39.6 million hours, it is engineered for long-duration missions where maintenance is not feasible.
5. Electrical Specifications Overview

• Input Voltage: 22V to 40V (nominal 28V)
• Output Voltage: 5.1V to 6.1V (nominal 5.5V) per channel
• Output Current: 100mA to 1000mA per channel, with total output power up to 15W
• Three isolated outputs (A, B, C), each with dedicated return pins for maximum flexibility

Want More?

If your application demands uncompromising reliability and radiation resilience—whether in space, military or other high-reliability environments—the SA15-28 Triple Series is a compelling solution. For further information, technical support or to discuss your specific project requirements, please visit the official product page.