Robust/low cost SSPCs are finally available

New commercial aircraft, satellites, tanks, and various military platforms are turning to Solid-State Power Controllers (SSPCs). SSPCs in the late 1990's offer system cost savings, higher reliability, CPU interfacing, low power dissipation, and smart circuit breaker options with true I/sup 2/T trip characteristics. They provide features that only solid-state switching technology can support such as no wear and tear, self test capabilities, faster circuit protection, computer interfacing, low maintenance, and no thermal derating. The packaging has also a very important role supporting the mechanical integrity and thermal management in the smallest possible profile. This paper reviews the tradeoffs and factors that can help reduce the overall cost, available with today's SSPC technology. The paper also focuses on a new packaging concept that will support all of the technical and price/performance issues that are essential to today's power distribution systems.