A 64-context MEMS optically reconfigurable gate array

Abstract

Demand for use of FPGAs in space is increasing to support hardware repair and hardware update functions in addition to software repair and update functions in spacecraft, satellites, space stations, and other applications. Under a space radiation environment, embedded devices must allow for incidence of high-energy charged particles. Such incidence can cause single or multi-event latch-up (S/MEL)-associated troubles and single or multi-event upset (S/MEU)-associated temporary failures. Although an FPGA, because of its programmability, presents the advantageous capabilities of recovering from and updating after S/MEL-associated troubles, the FPGA can not guard itself completely from S/MEU-associated temporary failures that might arise on its configuration SRAM. This paper therefore presents a proposal for a 64-context MEMS optically reconfigurable gate array that can support a remotely updatable hardware function, can quickly repair S/MEL-associated permanent failures, and can perfectly guard itself from S/MEU-associated temporary failures that can occur in a space radiation environment.