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Cryocooler Control Electronics

Creare LLC

Since 1991 Creare has been developing electronics to drive multiple types of cryocoolers, including turbo-Brayton, Stirling, Pulse Tube, and Joule-Thomson varieties. Based on market needs, in 2017 Creare with our development partner West Coast Solutions (WCS) started development of a midrange variant to optimize cost and performance for cost-sensitive, “tactical space” (TS) missions. The result of this effort, the MCCE-TS, was primarily developed on NASA Contract 80NSSC18C0059 and Creare IR&D. This technology has now achieved TRL 9 across multiple customers and programs.

The MCCE-TS is intended for radiation-tolerant, cost-sensitive space missions where commercial electronics do not meet mission assurance and/or environmental requirements. These electronics were developed initially for NASA Class C/D missions to meet ”typical” space requirements for these missions, including NASA GSFC-STD-7000A GEVS launch and environmental requirements. With the recent emergence of proliferated space architectures,

Creare has found that the original NASA Class C/D target is highly consistent with the needs of these emerging Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial markets.

Since the original MCCE-TS program, Creare and WCS have continued to develop several variants of the MCCE optimized for specific missions, orbits and programs. Specific enhancements developed for the MCCE to date include:

Ripple Filters, with both passive and active design. The active ripple filter design includes integrated boost conversion, allowing operation of higher power cryocoolers and/or operation with lower input bus voltage.
Launch Lock. The standard MCCE design includes launch lock to protect the cooler and circuitry from damage due to launch shock and vibration.
Active Vibration Control. This is an optional subsystem that provides an active vibration control algorithm that uses either accelerometers or load washers to provide feedback to either opposed compressor motors or separate balancers.
Autonomous Maximized Cooldown. These algorithms allow cooldown time to be minimized while observing temperature-dependent limits on cryocooler operation, both minimum and maximum allowable power limits, as applicable.
Upgraded Power Level. Several models have been developed and demonstrated for operation of up to 240 W for use with higher capacity cryocoolers.
Increased Radiation Tolerance. The original MCCE-TS is based on electronic components with a minimum total ionizing dose (TID) rating of 30 krad(Si). More radiation hardened versions have been developed with minimum TID of 100 krad(Si). The box-level TID rating is higher, based on wall thickness. It should also be noted that Single Event Effect (SEE) immunity has been considered in the part selection with the higher TID version also featuring higher latchup thresholds, lower upset rate, etc.
Multiple-Unit Synchronization. This feature enables synchronization to either a master bus controller or allowing multiple CCEs to synchronize their operation.
Compact Design. For low-power applications, the C3E variant of the MCCE is optimized for reduced Size, Weight and Power (SWaP).