Apparatus for Controlling Low Power Voltages in Space Based Processing Systems

Abstract

A low power voltage control circuit for use in space missions includes a switching device coupled between an input voltage and an output voltage. The switching device includes a control input coupled to an enable signal, wherein the control input is configured to selectively turn the output voltage on or off based at least in part on the enable signal. A current monitoring circuit is coupled to the output voltage and configured to produce a trip signal, wherein the trip signal is active when a load current flowing through the switching device is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold and is inactive otherwise. The power voltage control circuit is constructed of space qualified components.