E2v releases new space specific PC8548 microprocessor

Photo by E2V technologies

E2v, the leading hi-rel semiconductor solutions provider, today announces the launch of the space qualified PC8548, the second microprocessor in its portfolio of high performance products targeting the new QML Y space specific manufacturing certification. This new device provides a system-on-chip solution for space systems manufacturers who require advanced processing elements with a reduced footprint. It combines a Power Architecture™ e500 core with on-chip peripherals such as SDRAM/DDR/DDR2 memory controllers and high-speed communication interfaces.

The newly established QML Y certification was defined by a NASA led working group and officially published in the latest revision of DLA MIL-PRF-38535. The traditional QML V certification was only compatible with legacy hermetic assembly processes and new generation assembly techniques (such as flip-chip on ceramic) and subsequent manufacturing, screening and qualification flows were not taken into account. Reliability is paramount for products entering space and the QML Y allows space systems manufacturers to benefit from these latest technologies whilst still ensuring that each device produced is carefully verified. e2v actively participated in this group with the specific objective of bringing to market the next generation of processors for space applications. This has been achieved with the new PC8548, the second addition to e2v’s portfolio targeting QML Y certification

The PC8548 e500 has a core operating frequency that goes up to 1.2GHz and features a double precision floating point unit. Embedded memory controllers and integrated cache are both protected by Error Correction Coding (ECC), allowing the processor to mitigate Single Event Upsets (SEU) that may occur in the memory elements while exposed to a space radiation environment. In addition, this microprocessor offers a wide range of high-speed connectivity options, including Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), PCI Express® and NASA approved Serial RapidIO® enabling fast communications between processors and with ASICs and FPGAs on board the spacecraft. Sensitive applications will also benefit from PC8548 integrated security engine and optional encryption, enabling secured communication protected by algorithms.

This product releases follows on from the June 2013 release of the first GHz-class microprocessor PC7448 targeting QML Y certification. PC7448 is a host processor embedding a high performance e600 core with AltiVec SIMD engine allowing space applications to benefit from its advanced processing capabilities.

Sébastien Frasse-Sombet, Strategic Marketing Manager in e2v’s High-Reliability Semiconductor division said “Because of the functionalities embedded in e2v’s new PC8548 system-on-chip, space systems manufacturers will be able to simplify their design and reduce the number of components on their boards. This will have a significant impact by reducing the size, weight and power (SWaP) of next generation space systems. When you are talking about improving SWaP in space, you are also talking about major cost savings.”

Sébastien Frasse-Sombet continues “The GHz-class high performance microprocessors from e2v will allow significant innovations in the space industry with a high reliability level compatible with space standards and guaranteed by the brand new QML Y. Using a system-on-chip solution such as PC8548 with QML Y certification will save a lot of quality effort and qualification expenses to our space customers”

PC8548 is manufactured using a 90 nanometres SOI process that enables significant processing performance with a reduced power budget down to 5.4W typical at 1.2GHz. The processors will be packaged into a 783-ball HiTCE ceramic BGA compatible with QML Y requirements. The e2v facilities that will be involved in the manufacturing of these products are certified to MIL-PRF-38535 QML level Q and V, as well as AS/EN9100 aerospace standard.

e2v is expecting to release the first engineering and qualification models of the PC8548 in the summer of 2014 with flight models availability expected in the first half of 2015, including full qualification according to MIL-PRF-38535 class Y.

For more information, please visit http://www.e2v.com.

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