In this paper the architecture of a new generation router has been presented, It is reconfigurable as it is implemented on a mixed signal Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform. It is meant to be used in a decentralized structure of new space applications in order to get fast, efficient and reliable transfer of the network packets.
This project is related to a radiation tolerant...
The increasing demand for onboard data processing in space
applications has led to the integration of Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and Machine Learning (ML) on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays
(FPGAs). This is particularly relevant for missions requiring
optimized data transmission, such as Earth observation
applications. AI-driven techniques can enhance onboard autonomy by
performing...
AbstractโThe Processor Layout Utilization for Thermal Optimization (PLUTO) project, initiated in 2022 and co-funded by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy, explores innovative approaches to designing thermally optimized satellite payloads with distributed processor modules. This paper presents a novel high-speed architecture for SRAM synchronization...
At Thales Alenia Space Italia, implementation of FEC codecs on FPGA in collaboration with ESA and academic institutions dates back various decades [1],[2] and has contributed to CCSDS standards definition [3]. TAS-I has implemented PCCC (Parallel Concatenated Convolutional Codes) and SCCC (Serially Concatenated Convolutional Codes) codecs and, most recently, LDPC.
While the FPGA technology...
Firmware design represents one of the major sources of project delays in the LHC experiment upgrades. In the past, legacy electronic systems were ready to be used immediately after installation. However, recent experiences have demonstrated that it can take years until the firmware design is finished and the installed hardware is ready to be used. Higher abstraction design flows, such as...
Edge computing in space is revolutionizing on-board data processing for Earth Observation (EO) satellites, enabling real-time analysis of optical and SAR imagery. GMV has explored novel FPGA-based AI acceleration solutions using the rad-tolerant Xilinx Versal AI Edge, leveraging Vitis AI workflows to map deep learning models for vessel detection and fire hotspot identification. Various Xilinx...
With 3GPP Release 17, satellites were incorporated in the 5G New Radio standard. This significantly strengthens the role of satellite connectivity for future mobile networks. 5G and 6G non-terrestrial networks bridge gaps in terrestrial network coverage, ensuring seamless connectivity in unconnected zones. Due to this, the ongoing project ESA 6G LINO focuses on creating an open experimental...
In recent years, the space community has shown a growing interest in the use of AI onboard satellites. FPGAs have emerged as competitive accelerators for these algorithms in the space harsh environment, and methods for automating their design have gained significant attention. Among the available frameworks, FPG-AI stands out as a promising solution for facilitating the deployment of AI in...
To address the growing demand for precise global positioning in commercial and scientific applications, the German Aerospace center (DLR) proposed the Kepler concept to increase the end-user performance of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) service. By utilizing optical links between satellites for precise time transfer and ranging Kepler enhances the performance, enabling down to...
Model-based approaches are widely adopted in the aerospace industry to streamline the implementation of command laws. In this context, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) play a crucial role in deploying Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithms for aerospace systems, offering the benefits of massively parallel computational capabilities and predictable execution times....
The growing significance of small satellites in space missions motivates the definition of streamlined CubeSat platforms that emphasizes cost-effective and flexible communication solutions. Central to this effort is the use of FPGAs, chosen for their capacity to integrate commercial off-the-shelf components while meeting stringent performance and reliability demands. By capitalizing on...
Spacecraft in-orbit servicing is a vital technology for extending satellite lifespans by enabling repairs, upgrades, and refueling. Accurate pose estimation, which determines the relative position and orientation of spacecraft, is crucial for such missions but poses challenges in space environments due to varying lighting, shadows, and high precision requirements. Traditional computer vision...
The data volume in satellite missions has expanded rapidly due to advancements in sensor technology, higher resolution imaging, and the growing number of satellites. This surge in data demands high-performance on-board processing solutions that offer both flexibility and computational power while being resistant to radiation.
IngeniArs is addressing this challenge by developing HPCEX, a...
In space applications, SRAM-based FPGA devices are vulnerable to radiation-induced soft errors such as single event upsets (SEUs) and multiple bit upsets (MBUs), which can lead to system malfunctions. We have developed an experimental setup to perform fault injection campaigns in the configuration memory using the AMD Soft Error Mitigation (SEM) IP Core, emulating SEUs and MBUs in commercial...
Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) are emerging as a disruptive technology in artificial intelligence, offering a biologically inspired approach that enables energy-efficient and event-driven computation. Their potential impact on spatial applications, particularly for anomaly detection in satellite data, is significant. Traditional deep learning models often require extensive computational...
Commercial-of-the-shelf computer modules (CMs) bear the potential to bring
unprecedented computing power to space. Combining CM redundancy for criti-
cal and detect-recover schemes for less critical operations, we highlight how CMs
can match the safety of radiation-hard CMs, at a fraction of costs. We combine
CMs with an FPGA voter to provide fault masking through agreement...
The Photospheric Magnetic Field Imager (PMI) will be one of the payload instruments on board the European Space Agency (ESA) VIGIL mission. It will provide vector magnetograms and tachograms of the solar photospheric plasma as valuable information for being used in space weather diagnostics.
The PMI instrument consists of an Electronics Unit and an Optics Unit, which are connected through a...
Single Event Upsets (SEUs) affecting configuration memory (CRAM) of programmable logic are a main source of faults that eventually lead to the system's failure due to hardware design corruption. The lack of information on how resources are programmed in CRAM significantly limits the ability to develop accurate reliability evaluation methodologies and tailored mitigation strategies, which could...
A common situation in hardware design for complex space systems is the need for simplification, driven by requirements related to weight, volume, power consumption, and cost. This often leads to resource limitations that pose significant challenges for designers.
Modern FPGAs can provide resources that help address these challenges through less traditional approaches. It is crucial for...
In an era where technology underpins nearly every aspect of our lives, the importance of dependable hardware and software has never been more critical to ensure safety and security. The rapid pace of technological advancement often outstrips the ability to implement rigorous testing and validation processes, making it difficult to ensure that systems are both reliable and secure. At the...
