Avalanche Technology Enabling Swing-Role Satellites in Space

Avalanche Technology, Inc. announced Linux driver support for the complete line of advanced AMD adaptive SoC platforms used in space-based applications, enabling Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) updates and multiple code images for mission adaptability.

Leveraging the company‘s Gen 3 Space Grade Dual QSPI Persistent SRAM (P-SRAM) family shipping in densities up to 8Gb, these satellite architectures can switch between pre-loaded mission images and still receive new images to support evolving capabilities and uncertain threats.

With a recent rollout of Linux driver packages, Avalanche has demonstrated full support for booting the AMD (Advanced Micro Devices Inc.) lineup of adaptive SoCs and FPGAs which includes Versal, Kintex, Zynq, UltraScale+, and UltraScale. The resulting mission-driven versatility provides satellites with a common hardware platform to support multiple tasks that can adapt with shifting requirements, even while in orbit. Combining these fully programmable AMD platforms with the firm’s non-volatile Gen 3 Space Grade high-density P-SRAM support for near infinite image updates and leftover capacity for working memory and storage, the resulting reconfigurable backbone provides the basis for idealized versatility. The ability to accomplish multiple functions within the same mission and ‘swing’ between different roles instantaneously offers the flexibility needed in a modern satellite network. This kind of architecture reduces cost, accelerates technology refresh, increases flexibility, and allows interoperability with multiple satellite networks in orbit, as new networks are introduced.

“As the avionics industry consolidated on multirole aircraft, we are enabling the next generation of adaptive satellites whose function can be software defined“, said Danny Sabour, VP, sales and marketing, Avalanche. “Avalanche is delighted to provide companion solutions for the AMD adaptive SoC portfolio, allowing satellite systems to “swing” from one role to another. With long and expensive hardware design cycles further challenged by an ever changing landscape of mission requirements and potential threats, the industry requires maximum hardware scalability. By leveraging Avalanche’s Gen 3 Space Grade P-SRAM family, known to offer robust SWaP-optimized architectures, this needed scalability is realized for density, orbital classification and qualification in addition to FOTA support to update images for new missions, allowing hardware platforms to evolve with the mission needs.”

Gen 3 Space Grade Persistent SRAM
The Gen 3 Space Grade series is offered as a standard product in density options from 1 to 8Gb with Serial or Parallel bus interfaces with byte addressability with no wear leveling. Designed for high reliability with multibit error correction and industry 10^16 write cycle endurance, data is always non-volatile. The devices are offered in compact 96/224-ball FBGA (20x20mm) and 142-ball FBGA (17x20mm) solutions with the extended (-40°C to 125°C) operating temperature range and a JEDEC qualification flow, where every device goes through a 48-hour burn in before being shipped to customers. There are additional qualification screening options available through partners.