Development kit facilitates rapid deployment of advanced space data processing

Alpha Data has steered in a new era of rapid deployment of adaptable data processing in space with the launch of its groundbreaking ADK-VA601 Versal AI Core Development Kit for Space 2.0.

The development kit, which includes a fully radiation-tolerant reference design in a deployable VPX format, will allow space designers to develop the next generation of adaptable processors in space rapidly. The core board of the kit will also be obtainable in a deployable spaceflight version.

The kit is an adaptive SoM capable of OBP and on-orbit reconfiguration, providing the potential for multi-sensor data fusion, capacity growth, and the convergence of ground and space networks. It will be available in the first quarter of 2024.

The kit is designed to align with the on-orbit processing and modular standards of the space market to decrease time to deployment and bring high-performance digital processing into orbit payloads. These payloads vary from high-resolution optical and radar imagery to ML, AI, and multi-sensor data fusion.

Created in collaboration with AMD, Texas Instruments, EPC Space and Teledyne e2v, the development kit offers a fully radiation-tolerant reference design in 220mm 6U Space VPX format. It builds on the ADK-VA600, which began shipping earlier this year and introduced the AMD XQR Versal AI Core VC1902 Adaptive SOM to the Space community.

David Miller, managing director, commented: “We’re offering this as a complete development kit but in an already deployable format, which makes it more relevant to customers and streamlines the adaptation process for specific mission requirements. The industry is moving from custom hardware towards modular standards that enable shorter design cycles and cost reduction. End users may still want to do some fine-tuning and customisation, but if 90% of the work has already been done by us, they can get to space much quicker. That’s the core concept behind this product.”

The kit employs the capabilities of industry-leading components. As well as the AMD Versal Adaptive SoC at the heart of the module, it incorporates a fully radiation tolerant power solution with groundbreaking 160A core power supply from Texas Instruments and EPC Space and high-performance rad-tolerant DDR4 memory from Teledyne e2v.

The board also offers a front panel VITA 57.4 FMC+ interface, allowing expansion capabilities and customisation. An accompanying VPX Rear Transition Module enhances I/O flexibility, system monitoring, test access, and target scrubbing features. Created to align with emerging standards, the 220mm high 6U Space VPX form factor ensures seamless transitions from lab development to deployment in extreme space environments, allowing space designers an accelerated path to flight-ready hardware.

“Alpha Data’s collaborative approach once again brings together a compelling selection of components in the space ecosystem to create a full solution for the next generation of on-orbit processing, with AMD Versal Adaptive SoC at its core,” said Ken O’Neill, Space Systems Architect, AMD. “The integration into a 6U VPX form factor with embedded power and memory provides designers with opportunities to accelerate development timelines and demonstrate flight hardware sooner.”