On the Use of System-on-Chip Technology in Next-Generation Instruments Avionics for Space Exploration

Abstract

System-on-Chip (SoC) technology enables integrating all the functionality required to control and process science data delivered by space instruments in a single silicon chip (e.g., microprocessor + programmable logic). This chapter discusses the implications of using this technology in deep-space exploration avionics, namely in the next generation of NASA science instruments that will be used to explore our Solar system. We present here our experience at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) using Xilinx Zynq SoC devices to implement the data processing of a Fourier transform spectrometer, namely the Compositional InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer (CIRIS). Besides, we also discuss the different fault-tolerance techniques that have been implemented in the CIRIS controller SoC to deal with harsh radiation conditions prevailing in deep-space environments.

Bringing Fault-Tolerant GigaHertz-Computing to Space: A Multi-stage Software-Side Fault-Tolerance Approach for Miniaturized Spacecraft

“…In contrast to these solutions, modern MPSoCs also allow considerably more software design freedom due to the available compute resources, thereby reducing the required development time and complexity. For scientific instrumentation and low-priority Cube-Sat missions, COTS-based MPSoCs and FPGA-SoC-hybrids have been utilized, but these are not suitable for critical satellite control applications within miniaturized satellites [17]. Ground-based FT applications do not consider the specific threat-scenario and application environment, physical constraints, and thermal design constraints [3], [5].…”

Radiation effects and radiation hardening technology of new microsystems

“…Azimi等人 [23] 针对车用SoC开发了一种新的故障注入系统来研究位 翻转的影响, 允许测试系统的所有资源, 如存储器、寄 存器、互连信号和混合信号模块. Di Mascio等人 [24] 报 告了应用标准 60 Co源和低能质子束对SoC进行总剂量…”