The processors streamline development of space-qualified scalable solutions for maximum reliability and robustness
Introducing a radiation-tolerant, 64 Megabit (Mbit) parallel-interface SuperFlash memory device, the SST38LF6401RT that incorporates Total Ionizing Dose (TID) radiation tolerance of up to 50 kilorad (krad) for maximum reliability and robustness in the harsh space environment. Not only does it reduce the time, cost and risk of developing spaceflight-qualified systems but also allows designers to start with Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices that can later be replaced by their space-qualified, radiation-tolerant equivalent parts.
The SST38LF6401RT enables systems to operate in a broad range of space applications where they cannot afford any loss of code execution that could lead to severe defects and system loss. An ideal companion to SAMRH71 Arm Cortex-M7-based radiation-hardened SoC processor, it can also be used with RT PolarFire FPGAs to support in-flight system reconfiguration. The device has pinout distribution compatibility with its industrial version for an easy transition to space-qualified plastic or ceramic versions at the PCB level. Voltage operation of the SST38LF6401RT ranges from 3.0 to 3.6 V.
“The SST38LF6401RT SuperFlash device further strengthens the scalable approach to developing total space system solutions using our radiation-tolerant or radiation-hardened microprocessors and FPGAs,” said Bob Vampola, associate vice president of Microchip’s aerospace and defence business unit. “It offers the vital protection these space systems need for the most reliable digital processing where companion Flash memory is required to store the critical software code or bitstream that drives the complete system.”
The SST38LF6401RT SuperFlash device is sampling now in a ceramic version and supported by an evaluation board and demonstration software available now from Microchip Technology. Also available upon request is an FPGA flight programming reference case for combining the SuperFlash device with an FPGA and a SAMRH71 processor with supporting software.
