ABSTRACT
Space applications present many challenges for the development of robust analog and mixed-signal electronics. One of the most important concerns is the wide range of temperatures over which these electronics must operate. For example, in Mars surface applications the temperature can vary from −120°C to +20°C depending on time of day and location [2]. In deep space missions, the temperature extremes are even greater. One of the first issues that must be addressed when developing robust instrumentation and control systems is whether to use discrete, commercial electronics or custom, monolithic integrated circuits (ICs). The main advantage of commercial electronics is that development time can be very quick due to the availability of a wide range of parts including operational amplifiers (op amps), analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and microcontrollers. However, commercial electronics also suffer from two important limitations. First, the large number of IC packages required in a system composed of commercial parts is a key reliability concern, especially in environments where the temperature periodically cycles over a large range [2]. Second, commercial electronics are generally not specified below −55°C, which calls into question their reliability when operating in very low-temperature environments [3]. For high temperature, commercial electronics are generally limited to 125°C operation. For the reasons stated earlier, it is generally better to pursue a highly integrated, custom solution when developing electronic systems for space applications.
