To resolve initial difficulties, the company investigated a way to utilize existing circuitry to perform on-the-fly recalculation (and checking) of computations associated with critical operations. This straightforward approach beats the alternative of running three processors in parallel and voting their outputs. In addition, it uses less hardware and power, because the necessary level of redundancy is easily activated and deactivated as needed.

Space Micro also incorporated a radiation-hardened watchdog chip, which triggers an automatic processor reset if it detects a hang-up in the apparatus. This innovative solution simplifies the architecture by eliminating the need to synchronize multiple processors. The company’s final product consists of a high-performance, fault-tolerant computer known as Proton that employs low-cost, commercially available parts.

Where it Stands

To date, over 50 satellite programs have inquired about this commercially based, inexpensive, low-power approach to space computing systems, with nine various delivery contracts awarded from the Air Force, Missile Defense Agency, NASA, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Space Micro’s groundbreaking prototype has thus established its legacy as one of AFRL’s most successful SBIR efforts.

Last August, the Proton200k™ computer was selected by the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate for engineering design and development support for the Autonomous Nanosatellite Guardian Evaluating Local Space (ANGELS) satellite program.

More Information

For more information on Space Micro’s chips, visit http://info.hotims.com/ 10970-516.