Hybrid relay including solid-state output and having non-volatile state-retention and associated methods

A hybrid relay comprising:

• a plurality of input and output terminals, and a voltage supply terminal;
• at least one electromagnetic coil connected to said input terminals;
• a latching mechanism comprising
• first and second contacts movable between open and closed latched positions based upon said at least one electromagnetic coil, the first contact connected to the voltage supply terminal so that the second contact provides a switched voltage supply, and
• third an fourth contacts movable between open and closed latched positions based upon said at least one electromagnetic coil for providing relay telemetry;
• an output field-effect transistor (FET) having a gate terminal, and having source and drain terminals connected to said output terminals;
• and
• a transistor driver connected between the switched voltage supply and the gate terminal of said output FET transistor.

An electronic circuit for spacecraft applications and comprising:

• a control circuit and a load to be switched based upon said control circuit;
• at least one electromagnetic coil connected to said control circuit;
• a latching mechanism comprising a plurality of contacts movable between open and closed latched positions based upon said at least one electromagnetic coil;
• an output transistor having a control terminal, and having conduction terminals connected to said load;
• and
• a transistor driver connected between at least one of said contacts and the control terminal of said output transistor.

A hybrid relay comprising:

• a plurality of input and output terminals, and a voltage supply terminal;
• at least one electromagnetic coil connected to said input terminals;
• a latching mechanism comprising first and second contacts movable between open and closed latched positions based upon said at least one electromagnetic coil, the first contact connected to the voltage supply terminal so that the second contact provides a switched voltage supply;
• and
• a solid-state output stage having a control input driven by the switched voltage supply, and having an output connected to said output terminals.