Field programmable gate arrays enable prototyping of space systems

Microsemi Corporation have launched its RTG4 PROTO field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The devices, developed specifically to enable prototyping of space systems, enable lower cost prototyping and design validation activities for the latest radiation-tolerant high-speed FPGAs. The RTG4 PROTO FPGAs are also the only reprogrammable prototyping solution of their kind providing the same timing and power characteristics as space flight units. “Our new RTG4 PROTO FPGAs continue Microsemi’s legacy of providing leading capabilities to the space industry, as the devices use the same silicon and packaging as flight model FPGAs without completing flight model tests, reducing costs for our customers,” said Minh Nguyen, senior marketing manager, space and aviation, at Microsemi. “We maintain our commitment to providing additional cost-effective prototyping solutions, enabling highly complex applications, to help customers evaluate and design with our latest technologies.” Their new RFPGAs enable easy hardware timing verification, as well as power evaluation. As the devices use the same reprogrammable flash technology as flight units, they can be reprogrammed multiple times without being removed from the development board. Catering to the requirements of space system designers who must design for the harsh environment beyond earth’s atmosphere, the devices are electrically tested to ensure reliable performance over full military temperature ranges and are offered in non-hermetic, ceramic packages. According to Euroconsult's 2015 report titled, "Satellites to Be Built and Launched by 2024," 60 percent more satellites will be launched by 2024 versus the past decade. This increase is driven primarily by civilian government agencies as established space countries replace and expand their in-orbit satellite systems and more countries acquire their first operational satellite systems. In addition to satellite applications, the FPGAs are ideal for space launch vehicles, planetary orbiters and landers, and deep space probes. Target customers include designers, program managers, system architects and component engineers serving the space market. The company’s RTG4 FPGAs, launched in 2015, bring new capabilities to the space market and help solve satellite signal processing congestion, among other challenges common within space applications. The company’s solutions provide designers of space-flight systems with a prototyping vehicle for every step of the design phase, ranging from cost-effective commercial-equivalent devices to its new radiation-tolerant PROTO devices. These PROTO FPGAs will be used in future RTG4 development kits, providing space designers a comprehensive evaluation and design platform.