Boeing Utilizes Microsemi Switches For THURAYA Satellite Telecommunications

Irvine, CA - Microsemi Corp. announced today that its electromechanical zero gravity, low dissipation battery bypass switches have been successfully deployed on THURAYA-1, a satellite built by Boeing Satellite Systems for THURAYA Satellite Telecommunications in the United Arab Emirates.

The Microsemi switches were manufactured using a patented design provided by Boeing Satellite Systems.

The THURAYA-1 satellite is part of a turnkey mobile communications system. The satellite will operate in geostationary orbit transmitting and receiving calls through a single 12.25-meter aperture reflector. On-board digital signal processing will route calls directly from one handheld unit to another or through a terrestrial network.

During eclipse of the solar panels, the satellite receives power from very high-current series battery cells. Boeing opted to use its patented Low Dissipation Battery Bypass System solution, which saves considerable weight over other bypass systems. This also reduced the amount of wire harnesses required.

Lane Jorgensen, vice president of the Satellite Products business unit stated: "Our continual drive to provide system solutions for satellite manufacturers has proven to be a success for both Microsemi and its customers. We continue to look at ways that we might improve satellite performance while reducing system level electronic content cost."

Microsemi entertains custom and customer specific bypass designs. Microsemi's own patent pending design MM158, for battery bypass of smaller battery cells, is commercially available to satellite manufacturers.

SOURCE: Microsemi Corporation