Microchip has launched the first devices in its PIC64 High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (PIC64-HPSC) family of microprocessors. These multicore 64-bit RISC-V processors, which Microchip is delivering to NASA and the broader defense and commercial aerospace industry, employ vector-processing instruction extensions to support AI and ML. They also offer features and industry-standard interfaces not previously available for space applications.
Radiation-hardened PIC64-HPSC RH MPUs provide autonomous missions with the local processing power needed to execute real-time tasks. They can be used for rover hazard avoidance on the moon’s surface, as well as long-duration deep-space missions like Mars expeditions.
Radiation-tolerant PIC64-HPSC RT MPUs are tailored for the commercial space sector, particularly Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. They balance cost-effectiveness with high fault tolerance crucial for round-the-clock service reliability and space asset cybersecurity.
The space-grade architecture of these processors includes eight SiFive RISC-V X280 64-bit CPU cores. They support virtualization and real-time operation, with vector extensions capable of delivering up to 2 TOPS (Int8) or 1 TFLOPS (Bfloat16) for autonomous missions.
PIC64-HPSC devices also provide high-speed network connectivity, low-latency data transfers, and platform-level defense-grade security. Dynamic controls manage computational demands across different phases of space missions, activating functions and interfaces as needed.
Samples of the PIC64-HPSC processors will be available to early access partners in 2025. For additional information, contact a Microchip sales representative.
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