Cobham Semiconductor Solutions in Plainview, N.Y. will be the sole-source contract for radiation-tolerant analog multiplexers that will assist NASA researchers with a variety of space applications. The value of the contract has not yet been negotiated.
Cobham will produce flight Aeroflex multiplexers, part numbers 8511-201-1S and 8512-201-1S.
“An electronic multiplexer makes it possible for several signals to share one device or resource like an A/D converter or communications line, instead of designing with one device per input signal,” reports Military and Aerospace Electronics. “It selects one of several analog or digital input signals and forwards to one line.”
Radiation-tolerant multiplexers are generally used by spacecraft designers to enable a greater flow of data over a network within a narrow time and bandwidth.
Here are some of the features of the parts Cobham will be providing:
Aeroflex’s ACT8511 is a radiation tolerant, 64 channel multiplexer MCM (multi-chip module) with electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection on all channel inputs.
The ACT8511 has been specifically designed to meet exposure to radiation environments,” according to the company’s website.
