Radiation-Hardened SBC Segmentation for CubeSat Power and Size

Solution Overview

Problem

Radiation-hardened processor boards for space flight are typically large, expensive, and consume high amounts of power, failing to meet the cost, power, and size requirements for missions like CubeSat and SmallSat applications.

Innovation Solution

A radiation-hardened single-board computer (SBC) using the MicroTCA standard, with a processor, SRAM, non-volatile memory, and an FPGA for error detection and correction, interfacing via high-speed serial, LVDS, I2C, SpaceWire, and JTAG, and supporting custom hardware co-processing to reduce processor load, while consuming less than 6.6 W and having a smaller form factor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radiation-hardened processor boards are used for space flight, then radiation hardness and fault tolerance are improved, but cost, power consumption, and form factor worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation hardnessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two functional segments: a radiation-hardened processor board that provides reliability and fault tolerance, and a non-radiation-hardened SBC that handles command and data handling functions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific purpose, reducing the power consumption and cost of the overall system while maintaining radiation hardness where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The SBC acts as an intermediary between the radiation-hardened processor board and the mission payload. It offloads command and data handling tasks from the hardened processor, allowing the hardened system to focus on critical functions while the SBC manages routine operations, thereby reducing the power and computational burden on the radiation-hardened components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If radiation-hardened processor boards are used for space flight, then radiation hardness and fault tolerance are improved, but cost, power consumption, and form factor worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation hardnessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two functional segments: a radiation-hardened processor board that provides reliability and fault tolerance, and a non-radiation-hardened SBC that handles command and data handling functions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific purpose, reducing the power consumption and cost of the overall system while maintaining radiation hardness where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If radiation-hardened processor boards are used for space flight, then radiation hardness and fault tolerance are improved, but size and cost worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation hardnessVSAvoidform factor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two functional segments: a radiation-hardened processor board that provides reliability and fault tolerance, and a non-radiation-hardened SBC that handles command and data handling functions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific purpose, reducing the power consumption and cost of the overall system while maintaining radiation hardness where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The SBC is designed to perform multiple functions including command handling, data processing, and interfacing with various instruments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated hardware components, thereby reducing the overall form factor and mass of the system while maintaining all necessary capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10503584B1Low cost, hardened single board computer for command and data handling

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 TRIAD NATIONAL SECURITY LLC

AI summary

A radiation hardened single board computer (SBC) includes a processor; static random-access memory (SRAM); non-volatile memory; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); and board-level physical layer interfaces.