Radiation-Tolerant RISC-V FPGA for Linux in space
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Microchip Technology has launched a radiation tolerant version of its PolarFire FPGA with a RISC-V processor sub-system that can run the Linux operating system.
The Microchip RT PolarFire system-on-chip (SoC) FPGA is the first real-time Linux capable, RISC-V-based microprocessor subsystem on a flight-proven RT PolarFire FPGA fabric.
This allows developers to start designing using the commercially available PolarFire SoC (MPFS460) device and Libero SoC development tools. Tapping into the Microchip Mi-V RISC-V ecosystem, PolarFire SoC software stacks, the PolarFire SoC Icicle Kit or the PolarFire SoC Smart Embedded Vision Kit allows the development of lower power designs for the challenging thermal environments in space.
The RT PolarFire FPGA has already received the Qualified Manufacturers List (QML) Class Q designation based on specific performance and quality requirements as governed by the Defense Logistics Agency. There is also a clear path for this device to achieve QML Class V qualification, the highest qualification standard for space microelectronics.
Safety-critical systems, control systems, space and security applications need the flexibility of the Linux Operating System (OS) and the determinism of real-time systems to control hardware. RT PolarFire SoC FPGAs feature a multi-core Linux-capable processor that is coherent with the memory subsystem. The RT PolarFire SoC enables central satellite processing capabilities similar to those in single board computers which are common in the space industry for command and data handling, in platform avionics and in payload control. The SoC allows for flexible implementation of highly integrated designs, customization and evolution of function while improving size, weight and power considerations.
Systems deployed in space are subjected to harsh radiation, prompting design methodologies that can provide protection for the most critical radiation-induced upset types. Unlike SRAM FPGAs, the RT PolarFire SoC is designed for zero configuration memory upsets in radiation, eliminating the need for an external scrubber and reducing the total system cost. Satellites are designed to deliver both peak and average power and to dissipate heat through conductive paths, namely metal. Starting with a SoC FPGA that can reduce your power consumption by up to 50 percent simplifies the entire satellite design, allowing designers to focus on the mission at hand.
“By delivering the design ecosystem for the industry’s first RISC-V-based radiation-tolerant SoC FPGA, Microchip is driving innovation and giving designers the ability to develop a whole new class of power-efficient applications for space.” said Bruce Weyer, corporate vice president for Microchip’s FPGA business unit. “This will also allow our clients to add enhanced edge compute capabilities to aerospace and defense systems.”
Microchip’s Mi-V ecosystem supports symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) rich operating systems like Linux, VxWorks, PIKE OS and more real time operating systems like RTEMS and Zephyr with tools and design resources, developed with numerous third parties, to support RISC-V designs.
More information is on the PolarFire SoC page.
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