25/03/2024
How Our Latching Solid State Relays Will Impact The Space Industry
"When the mission is critical, there’s no room for failure."
There are many types of solid state relays in the market such as electromechanical relays, latching ssr relays, reed relays, emr and ssr; however, these different types of relays are all not fit for travel in space.
Precision, reliability, and good performance are non-negotiable when it comes to manufacturing applications for space missions. Experiencing failures at launch can risk years of hard work and development which only delays progress in research and space exploration.
A single failure can jeopardise missions, drain resources, and, in the case of space equipment, risk lives. When you’re pushing the boundaries of technology for a brighter future, it’s essential to integrate fail-proof components into your designs.
We will compare two types of relays including our Latching Solid State Relays (LSSRs) and mechanical relays. Our LSSRs will help resolve many issues faced in outer space by saving time, costs and lives.
Latching SSR Relay Vs Mechanical
Latching SRRs in comparison to their mechanical counterparts has better characteristics. Mechanical relays have been a mainstay in various industries, however, a closer examination reveals that mechanical relays exhibit notable shortcomings.
These components are prone to mechanical wear and tear, leading to finite lifespans and increased power consumption. Such limitations can have dire consequences for the sustained operation of critical applications, potentially resulting in catastrophic failures.
In today’s era, where safety is paramount, these risks are untenable. That’s precisely why our latching relays have emerged as the superior and can be adopted as an alternative.
Latching SSR Advantages:
These Latching Solid State Relays are designed to have more advantages than standard solid-state relays.
Firstly, they have no moving parts that wear out over time. This means they last longer and are more reliable in the long run. Additionally, they provide faster switching speeds compared to mechanical solid state relays, making them ideal for applications where speed is critical.
In terms of efficiency, Latching SSR is a cost-effective choice as it consumes less power. Their compact size is perfect for relay applications with restricted space, allowing for versatile placement. Furthermore, these SSR relays operate silently, eliminating noise concerns.
Another significant benefit is that these components produce no contact arching and generate minimal electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, reducing the potential for signal disruption. They are also highly resistant to shock and vibration, ensuring stable performance in challenging environments.
Moreover, LSSRs are compatible with modern digital systems such as computers, digital circuits, and microcoulomb (μC), making them a versatile and reliable choice for a wide range of applications.
The Pitfalls Of Mechanical Relays:
In the world of space and aerospace engineering, the mechanical relay’s achilles’ heel is its vulnerability to failure. Let’s dissect the six key critical reasons why Latching Solid State Relays perform better than their non-latching ssr circuit adversaries:
- Contact Failure: With wear and tear over time, relay contacts succumb to oxidation and resistance issues, paving the path for relay failures.
- Coil Failure: Burnouts, insulation breakdowns, or just good old mechanical damage can turn a relay south in a flash.
- Mechanical Failure: From failing armatures to springs that lose their spring, these components can put a relay on a rollercoaster of erratic behaviour.
- Environmental Factors: Extreme temperature swings, humidity conspiracies, dust invasions, and unyielding vibrations all conspire to shake up relay components.
- Welded Contacts: Contacts can fuse under the pressure of high current or arcing, landing in a permanent stuck state.
- Manufacturing Defects: Even from the assembly line, defects can creep in, leading to intermittent or outright catastrophic relay failures.
When it comes to the reliability and durability demanded in the space and aerospace world, the mechanical relay’s laundry list of woes is a stark contrast to the steadfast performance and resilience of true Latching SSRs.
Updating Industries Into The Future with LSSR’s
Isocom Latching SSRs stand as the linchpin in upgrading multiple sectors with their formidable capabilities. These are:
- High reliability
- Radiation tolerant
- Versatile voltage range
- High current handling
- Precise control
- Custom designed packages
- Zero cool voltage
The latching capabilities of these SSRs make them invaluable and are the driving force used in applications in the space, aerospace and defence sectors.
In the realm of space applications, these SSRs serve as the backbone of spacecraft systems, manoeuvring seamlessly through critical tasks such as controlling power supplies, managing solar panels, and overseeing pivotal systems.
Their influence extends deeply into defence applications, steering radar systems and managing the intricacies of high-tech communication equipment.
In the aerospace domain, they reign supreme, playing a pivotal role in aircraft systems. From managing lighting and temperature control to overseeing battery operations, their significance remains unparalleled.
We are developing a range of fantastic latching solid-state relays which will boast impressive qualities. An example of these qualities includes latching and reset voltages up to 5V and 0.7Ω ON resistance, a latching supply current of 10mA and a reset current of 5mA.
Each component requires quick response time in essential applications, such as the set/reset pulse timing equating to 1ms, a rapid NO on time of 3ms and an extremely quick NC off time at 0.7 ms, these features successfully match what is required for mission-critical applications in the space and aerospace sectors.
Its leakage current of 100μA and reverse voltage of 1.2V add to its resilience, making it an essential component in the field of electronics, especially in situations where precision and efficiency are imperative.
An exciting new chapter in SSR technology is on the way, which may encourage further innovative ideas for future generations, thanks to the development of the Latching SSR.