Thales Alenia Space approach with COTS solutions for New Space

1. COTS : First heritage
2. COTS : Heritage – Iridium NEXT 
3. COTS : NewSpace Satellites
4. COTS : Mitigation Plans 

COTS HERITAGE : FIRST HERITAGE 

• Beginning 2000, before ECSS-Q-ST-60-13C release ,commercial plastic microcircuits were selected by Thales Alenia Space for  Class 1 or Class 2 programs (ECSS-Q-ST-60C) as alternative approach when no technical solution existed with Hi-Rel parts.

• •     A detail specification for qualification and up-screening for plastic encapsulated microcircuits was released. The justification document summarized all data and risk analysis 
    • Explanation of the need /Tradeoff with Hi-Rel.
    • Risk analysis before to launch qualification on the flight lot.
      • Lead Finish: SnPb mandatory 
      • Manufacturer survey system: PCN, OBS, Technological Data and Reliability Data 
      • Procurement: Single lot & traceability 
      • Radiation: Single Event Effects, Total Dose
      • Technological qualification: Construction Analysis and Outgassing

• • Screening: Similar to Class 1 ECSS-Q-ST-60-13C.
  • Environmental qualification (sampling): Similar to Class 1 ECSS-Q-ST-60-13C.
  • Mounting qualification: Vibrations, Thermal Cycling.

• For additional procurement:
  • Construction analysis (C.A.) replaced by DPA 3 pieces
  • Single Event Effect test is not required if die mask revision remains unchanged from previous procured lot checked through C.A.
  • Mounting qualification systematically done on each flight lot

COTS HERITAGE- IRIDIUM NEXT

Requirements: COTS  close to ECSS-Q-ST-60-13C Class 2/Class 3

• An internal specification for “COTS acceptance” was released by Thales Alenia Space 

• COTS  solutions depending on:

• • Volume and price
  • Higher electrical performances compared to HiRel components
  • Temperature Range: minimum temperature  range –40°C to 85°C 
  • Mature packages TSSOP ;DPACK types ; SOIC-8 SOT-xx. Pure Tin allowed 
  • Single lot 
  • Family type 
    • Active Parts: Microcircuits and  Discrete from PPL Thales Group or AEC qualified
    • Passive parts introduced (180 references):  ceramic capacitors, chip resistors, discrete, microcircuits and RF Passive (Commercial and AECQ  level).

• LOT VALIDATION:
  • Radiation 
  • Construction analysis 
  • Mounting qualification (per lot DC)
  • Reliability: Data collection from the manufacturer or lot testing 
• Screening  at board/Unit level
• More than 350 References COTS including  some AECQ parts

COTS- NEW SPACE SATELLITES 1/2 

• The COTS requirements are detailed in a new dedicated Standard Company released in 2018.   

• • Prohibited COTS families are  listed
  • Manufacturer selection:
    • COTS shall be selected from manufacturers with high Volume Production lines.
    • A manufacturer shall be identified as reliable  supplier; Quality System, Responsive Behavior  
  • Preferred  COTS:
    • Active COTS: PED-Rad Tolerant  Plastics, AECQ,  Enhanced products, PPL Thales  or Heritage
    • Passive COTS allowed  shall be selected if possible  to the maximum extent in AECQ version

COTS- NEW SPACE SATELLITES 2/2 

• The COTS requirements are detailed in a new dedicated Standard Company released in 2018.   
  • Temperature range   as minimum  -40°C/+85°C
  • Pure Tin according to  JESD-201 class 2 allowed. If not, Risk Analysis  & mitigation plan required. 
  • Lot homogeneity (Single Date Code, assembly lot et when required diffusion lot for radiation)
  • Expected Traceability 
    • Diffusion and Assembly locations
    • Assembly lot 
    • Diffusion lot  ( for radiation-sensitive parts) 

• • Packing
    • Mechanical Protection
    • ESD protection
    • Moisture protection 
    • Label: Traceability as minimum Date Code, manufacturer lot.

COTS- MITIGATION PLAN 1/2

Mitigation Plans have been established as a consequence of a  strong heritage

• Radiation  Risk:
  • Single Event Effect: Technology sensitivity
  • Total Dose: Several lots tested 

• Procurement risk: 
  • Authorized distributors 
  • Delivery time:  Anticipation for AECQ and high volume needs 
  • Manufacturers  Survey System (  follow-up of Obsolescence and Product Change Notifications) 
  • PPL Thales 

• Technological  Risk:

• • Construction Analysis: adapted to focus on the critical aspect of each technology.  
  • Mounting Qualification: For each new procurement,  mounting qualification shall not be systematically required depending on:
    • Outgassing and Construction Analysis
    • Package:  similarities can be declared per supplier/assembly location for each package type with several sizes.

COTS- MITIGATION PLAN 2/2

Mitigation Plans have been established as a consequence of a  strong heritage

• Acceptation Risk: Parts Selection Team: 
  • Thales Alenia Space  Quality assurance expert/specialist on  EEE parts, Radiation, Materials and Processes, Dependability are in charge of risk evaluations as support of EEE parts engineering.
  • COTS acceptation is declared through a detailed Justification Document approved by experts.
    • Product characteristics
    • Traceability 
    • Supply chain data: PCN management, Obsolescence data, Procurement information, Life Cycle
    • Manufacturer Reliability data 
    • Evaluation is done by Thales Alenia Space 

• • A summary sheet “Justification Document main – external “is automatically filled and provided to customers. 
  • For each new procurement, Justification File is updated.

CONCLUSION

Thales Alenia Space policy on commercial EEE parts is a strong 

guarantee for New Space activities.

Supplier cooperation for data collection  is mandatory to use commercial components in Space applications.