Imagine the power system of a satellite as a complex set of water pipes; this project builds a smarter, faster valve that controls the flow of electricity. Current valves are slow and mostly made by US companies, making Europe dependent on them. This new chip is designed to handle high power and survive the harsh radiation of space without breaking.
European space agencies depend on expensive US-made power controllers that are limited by slow bipolar technology and strict export controls.
An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design called SCOPS for parallel power supply phase control, including updated PROMISE design and interface standards.
If you are a satellite manufacturer dealing with high current consumption and US export restrictions — this project developed a scalable ASIC controller that provides a non-dependent European supply chain.
If you are a defense contractor dealing with radiation-sensitive electronics that slow down performance — this project developed a radiation-robust circuit that overcomes the limitations of bipolar technology.
If you are a chip designer dealing with the lack of high-frequency controllers for GaN transistors — this project developed the SCOPS circuit to control several power supply phases in parallel.
The project aims for a fair commercialization and intellectual property management strategy to ensure the SCOPS outcomes are available at a competitive cost compared to non-European alternatives.
Yes, the objective is to design an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) specifically to control several power supply phases in parallel for the space community.
The project explicitly includes the management of intellectual property to allow for the purchase of the outcomes in a way that reduces dependence on US monopolies.
The SCOPS circuit is designed to be radiation-robust, specifically overcoming the issue where heavy ions cause transients that slow down performance in existing bipolar controllers.
Based on available project data, the project period runs from 2023-01-01 to 2026-12-31.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 71% industry ratio, consisting of 7 partners across 5 countries. Led by Thales Alenia Space España, the group includes 5 industrial entities (including 2 SMEs), 1 university, and 1 research center, indicating a strong focus on commercial viability and industrial application rather than pure academic research.
Contact Thales Alenia Space España SA regarding the SCOPS ASIC specifications.
Contact us to identify potential licensing opportunities for the SCOPS controller.
