Microprocessor Hardened to Survive in Space

  • Published
  • By Eric L. Pohlenz
  • Materials and Manufacturing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Air Force Research Laboratory and BAE Systems are developing and fielding powerful, state-of-the-art, radiation-hardened microprocessors for space applications. The RAD750 microprocessor enables survivability of spacecraft operation in harsh, high-radiation environments. In order to meet greater on-orbit processing demands and fewer ground support capabilities, the RAD750 design architecture was modified for increased processor speed.

This Defense Production Act Title III program project secures a viable source for a family of QLM qualified RAD750 microprocessors ready to serve military mission requirements. Military users have the option of selecting the first generation RAD750, which is radiation-tolerant with a modest process speed, or several strategic radiation-hardened versions with higher processor speeds.

As microelectronics shrink to increase speed and performance, the microelectronics operating in space become increasingly more susceptible to degradation or damage from radiation effects. The desire for greater on-orbit processing capability has driven system designs to use microprocessors that operate at lower power, faster speeds and a higher density of complex circuitry. Microelectronic devices developed for space begin as mature, state-of-the-art, commercial designs (to reduce research and development costs) that are adapted to radiation-hardening design rules which result in either radiation-tolerant or strategic radiation-hardened devices.

The Department of Defense (DoD) needs space-qualified microprocessors with increased processing speed and performance to meet increasing mission autonomy. Data links, communications, sensors, enhanced hyper-spectral imaging and video processing capabilities, which will enable this autonomy, require space qualified microprocessors.
Numerous National Aeronautics and Space Administration satellite missions have successfully used various generations of the Rad750 PowerPC technology. The DoD has also incorporated the technology in military communications and Global Positioning System satellites. As we move forward, the Title III/BAE partnership is expected to deliver the final increase at 250 MHz on the current Power PC architecture, which will further advance our real-time computing power in space.