SolidKosmos, a supplier to the upstream space sector, directly addresses the challenges faced by onboard computing systems in the harsh environment of space.
Our product portfolio comprises one EGSE tool ① and an FDIR library with three IPs ②, ③, ④ that integrate seamlessly with the architecture of modern SoC-FPGAs, as depicted in the accompanying figure. Collectively, these solutions can be used to test and enhance the dependability of SoC-FPGAs subsystems by providing advanced testing capabilities and SEE mitigation.
Currently, the products are at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 and are projected to reach TRL 6 through development via the ESA BIC GR programme, with availability for customer products expected by the end of 2025. However, we are open to early-stage testing with potential customers during this period.
SK-RAFT
A reliability analysis & fault testing tool, and marked as ① in the figure, offers a comprehensive platform for emulating faults that can be caused by radiation in space as well as a tool to collect and analyse results during accelerated radiation tests. It can perform FI directly on the SoC-FPGA’s PL and PS by reading, manipulating, and writing back the FPGA’s configuration memory. This tool empowers satellite designers to analyse and mitigate the effects of radiation on SoC-FPGAs, reducing the risk of mission failures.
Key Features:
- Fault injection campaigns
- SEE evaluation and mitigation strategies
- Compatible with various SoC-FPGA platforms
SK-FDIR
SK-FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery Library) library includes both hardware and software solutions for fault detection and recovery in high-radiation environments.
Key Features:
- Designed for space systems
- Ensures minimal downtime and high system availability
- Tailored for use with SoC-FPGAs such as AMD’s Zynq UltraScale+.
SK-FDIR includes the following components
SK-RECOV IP core – error recovery for lockstep real-time processors ② is a SW/HW co-design solution that provides a robust error recovery solution for the dual lockstep RPU within the PS. It ensures that radiation-induced errors in the lockstep RPU can be recovered promptly upon detection, maintaining high availability. This technology contributes to the reliability of mixed critical applications, where the SoC-FPGA executes critical and non-critical tasks on the RPU and application processor (APU), respectively.
Key Features:
- System snapshots for quick recovery
- Focus on high-reliability systems
SK-SCRUB IP core – configuration memory 2D-scrubbing ③ is an RTL-based solution that is implemented in the PL. It utilises a mixed-2D coding scheme to correct MBUs efficiently, leveraging only parity information stored in a safeguarded memory. This approach minimises the need for large external space-graded memories, offering a more effective SwaP-C solution.
Key Features:
- Reduces external memory needs
- Optimized for high-performance space applications
SK-MON IP – Health Monitor ④ is a software library specifically designed for the health monitoring of SoC-FPGAs. At its core, the library aims to collect information on critical parameters of SoC-FPGAs, such as temperature, voltage, and system errors.
Key Features:
- Real-time diagnostics
- Custom alerts for system failures