New class of rad-tolerant memory card has high-capacity data storage

Aitech Systems has launched the S993, a radiation-tolerant 3U CompactPCI memory card providing up to 1TB of onboard storage Space NAND flash with all eight NAND modules installed for various space applications.

The new versatile memory board offers high-capacity, non-volatile Flash memory for reliable data storage in in-orbit spaceflight and downlink communications to earth-bound base stations.

Vivek Hazari, director of Engineering at Aitech, noted: "As the amount of data inputs integrated into space electronics continues to grow, having a radiation-tolerant memory board with this much capacity enables companies to keep building more advanced systems for future space applications. The S993 is a game-changer for onboard memory storage."

The space-rated memory card incorporates built-in hardware error detection and correction to correct single-bit errors and detect double-bit errors, as well as proving a low single-event upset rate and high latch-up immunity.

Pratish Shah, general manager of Aitech US, commented: "We not only seek to stay current with system advances for our clients, but we also aim to anticipate and exceed the needs and expectations of the space industry. The S993 is the latest example of how Aitech is developing solutions for the innovations being developed throughout space missions across all orbit levels."

With the company's Flash File Driver technology, a POSIX-compliant file system with wear levelling implemented and semaphore protection, the board may be accessed as a file system from any cPCI SBC with a Flash File System implemented. The new device also includes a Flash Translation Layer to manage writes and wear levelling, bad block management and garbage collection, offloading this function from the host processors.

As well as CompactPCI, future planned interfaces for the device include Space VPX Lite (VITA 78.1) and TSN/TTE Ethernet to expand the number of space applications with access to high-capacity memory storage.