Download Excelitas' ISDs Brochure - Excelitas Technologies

Energetic Safety Systems
Ignition Safety Devices (ISDs)
Excelitas manufactures ISDs for
both first- and later-stage rocket
motors. When used in a first-stage
rocket motor, the ISD is armed and
fired by robust command-to-launch
signals. In a second or later-stage
rocket motor, the ISD is aimed
and fired by robust launch
environment sensing.
Excelitas is the only ISD
supplier with in-house
energetic component design
and manufacturing capabilities
offered through our Blue Chip ®
Detonators. Excelitas’ Blue Chip ®
Detonator is the only detonator
qualified for high-shock
environments.
www.excelitas.com
Product Performance and Reliability
MIL-STD-1901A-Compliant Design
MIL-STD-1901A requires the use of an ISD device for all new rocket motor designs.
Excelitas ISDs comply with MIL-STD-1901A and all other pertinent safety standards
through the use of redundant safety circuitry. This includes two independent and
redundant detection circuits for launch environment sensing. For command-to-launch
systems, Excelitas ISDs are designed to ensure that a robust sequence of events occurs
prior to the ISD’s arming and firing of the initiator.
Our broad portfolio of Fuze Board-approved circuitry streamlines new product
development and Fuze Board approval while minimizing the cost and time associated
with technology development and qualification.
Excelitas ISDs employ MIL-STD-1901A compliant arming delay timers constructed of
dissimilar technologies, reducing the probability of common mode failures, shortening
development schedule, and substantially reducing the risk of Fuze Board approval for
new designs. Our arming delay timer designs are set specifically to allow the weapon
system to reach a safe distance from the launch platform, ensuring “safe separation
distance” prior to arming the device.
Excelitas manufactures ISDs using both complex logic devices (microcontrollers
and FPGAs) and discrete implementations. Complex logic devices provide ease of
configurability while discrete implementations maximize reliability and can shorten
the duration of the development schedule by eliminating software development and
approval by the Fuze Board. Excelitas’ use of complex logic devices is in compliance
with the Fuze Engineering Standardization Working Group (FESWG) requirements
for the use of logic devices.
Mechanical Packaging and Reliability
Excelitas designs ISD packaging to address a variety of ruggedization requirements such
as miniaturized devices to enhance reliability of the ISD during high-g gun launches.
Through years of ISD design and testing, Excelitas has developed proprietary methods
of protecting electronics from potentially degrading exposure to heat, humidity,
vibration, etc. Application-specific potting materials or conformal coatings are used
to seal the electronics from the external environment and also provide mitigation
against tin whisker growth. These techniques ensure that our ISDs are reliable for
use after long-term storage of the weapon system.
MIL-DTL-23659 Qualified Blue Chip ® Detonators
Excelitas manufactures many different types of detonators, allowing us to select the
right device for varying environmental conditions. Options range from low-energy Blue
Chip ® detonators to dual-load and shock-hardened detonators. Excelitas recrystallizes,
processes, and presses our own explosive powders, resulting in improved reliability and
consistent performance for each energetic device.