Cryogenic Testing of EEE & Electro-Optical components
- Posted by Enrique Cordero
- On September 21, 2019
- 0
Alter Technology has specialized in the realization and design of EEE component tests at cryogenic temperatures. Generally, the normal working temperatures of the devices are limited to the military range -55 / 125ºC. These characterizations can show anomalous operations, which are not defective, but which must be characterized to use these components in missions in which the operational temperatures are well below the -55º C standard.
This characterization is critical in planetary missions, like Mars. On average, the temperature on Mars is about -60ºC. In winter, near the pole, temperatures can get down to -125ºC. A summer day on Mars may get up to 20ºC near the equator, but at night the temperature can plummet to about -73ºC.
The complete set of chambers in Alter Technology permits the complete characterization of different types of components in spatial pressure conditions (< 10-5 mbars). The following table summarizes the available facilities to assure the characterization of electronics and electro-optical components at extreme temperatures.
| wdt_ID | Facility | Temperature Range | Pressure (mbar) | Volume /Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Space Simulator | -170ºC to 170ºC | >10-7 | 0.54 m3 |
| 4 | Cryogenic Chambers | -184ºC to 400ºC Immersion en LN2 -196ºC | Ambient | 20l, 38l and 142l |
| 7 | Helium Cryostat (available with CEM agreement) | -240ºC after 6 h Minimum Temp 10K | 10-7 | 10 cm diameter |
The technical characteristics of the available cryogenic facilities are detailed below.
Space simulator
The space simulator has a useful volume of 0.5 m3 with a cold/hot plate of 55x55cm. Outgassing, bake-out and thermal vacuum cycles in temperature range -170ºC to +170ºC, pressure down to 10E-7 mbar, with TQCM to bake-out tests.
General characteristics:
- Internal volume: 0.5 m3.
- Temperature range: -170ºC to +170ºC.
- Vacuum range: ambient to 10E-7 mbar
- Temperature rate: 1-3ºC/min
General arrangement drawing
Figure 1: Vacuum Chamber and Turbomolecular Pump.
Available Interface:
Hot plate interface 550 x 550 mm with 25mm square M6 screws pattern.
Electrical interfaces:
- Standard D-SUB connectors, 9, 25, 37, 44, 50 pins
- Hi-density Space Wire 9p
Optical ports:
- Optical windows
- Fibre optics feed-through
Temperature sensors:
- T type thermocouples feed-through
Microbalance:
- TQCM
Vacuum gauges:
- Vacuum gauges with measurement range 1000 mbar to 10e-8 mbar
RF interfaces:
- SMA up to 18GHz
Mechanical interfaces:
- Precision rotary and linear motion positioners
Cryogenic Chambers
Several cryogenic chambers are available, Alter has 20l, 38l and 142l cryogenic chambers with temperature range -184ºC to 400ºC, max temperature rate 40ºC/min. The following table summarize the characteristics of this chambers.
Figure 2: Cryogenic Chamber and Set-up Characterization Diodes (-140ºC to 150ºC).
| wdt_ID | DESCRIPTION NATIVE | MODEL | TEMP RANGE | MAX RATE | WORKSPACE DIMENSIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CRYOGENIC CHAMBER (20 litres) | EC11 | -184°C to 315°C | Heat Rate: 48C/min Cool Rate: 30C/min | 304.8mm(W) x 247.65mm(H) x 260.35mm(D) |
| 4 | CRYOGENIC CHAMBER (20 litres) | ECII M | -184°C to 315°C | Heat Rate: 48C/min Cool Rate: 30C/min | 304.8mm(W) x 247.65mm(H) x 260.35mm(D) |
| 7 | CRYOGENIC CHAMBER (20 LITERS) | EC11 | -184°C to 315°C | Heat Rate: 48C/min Cool Rate: 30C/min | 304.8mm(W) x 247.65mm(H) x 260.35mm(D) |
| 10 | CRYOGENIC CHAMBER (20 LITERS) | EC11 | -184°C to 315°C | Heat Rate: 48C/min Cool Rate: 30C/min | 304.8mm(W) x 247.65mm(H) x 260.35mm(D) |
| 13 | CRYOGENIC CHAMBER (20 litres) | ECII-CE REV G | -184°C to 315°C | Heat Rate: 48C/min Cool Rate: 30C/min | 304.8mm(W) x 247.65mm(H) x 260.35mm(D) |
| 16 | CÁMARA CRIOGÉNICA (20 litres) | ECII MTX | -184°C to 315°C | Heat Rate: 48C/min Cool Rate: 30C/min | 304.8mm(W) x 247.65mm(H) x 260.35mm(D) |
| 19 | CÁMARA CRIOGÉNICA (20liters) | ECII MTX | -184°C to 315°C | Heat Rate: 48C/min Cool Rate: 30C/min | 304.8mm(W) x 247.65mm(H) x 260.35mm(D) |
| 22 | CRYOGENIC CHAMBER (20 liters) | EC11 | -184°C to 315°C | Heat Rate: 48C/min Cool Rate: 30C/min | 304.8mm(W) x 247.65mm(H) x 260.35mm(D) |
| 25 | CÁMARA CRIOGÉNICA (142liters) | EC15HA | -184°C to 315°C | Heat/Cool Rate: 30C/min | 508mm(W) x 304.8mm(H) x 914,4mm(D) |
| 28 | CRYOGENIC CHAMBER 400ºC | CE1.3W-LM-CE | -184°C to 400°C | Heat/Cool Rate:18C/min | 355.6mm(W) x 330.2mm(H) x 330.2mm(D) |
Helium Cryostat
Alter has an agreement to use of the Helium cryostat of the CEM (Spain Metrology Reference Center) to perform the characterization of the EEE parts at temperatures as low as -263 ° C. This system is a close loop helium cryostat with the following characteristics:
- Manufacturer: JANIS RESEARCH
- Model: SHI-4-2
- Temperature range: 3.6K to ambient
- Cooling area: circle of 10 cm.
- Cooling rate: 0.75ºC/min aprox (i.e. aprox 6 hours to reach -240ºC).
Figure 3: Helium Cryostat and cold plate with capacitors
ALTER TECHNOLOGY has an accumulated experience on characterization and validation of any kind of EEE component at cryogenic temperatures in spatial pressure conditions.
Contact us for any specific requirement on your EEE components
Since 2005, he has worked at ALTER TECHNOLOGY as an optoelectronics innovation engineer. During this period, he acquired a large experience in the analysis and study of optoelectronic devices to be used in space applications through several ESA projects.
Currently, he is the Manager of the optoelectronic and new technologies department. And your responsibilities include the coordination and planning of the technical tasks as well as the management of laboratory engineers.
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