Actel

Space Edition 2007

innovative programmable logic solutions

Gaisler Fault-Tolerant LEON3 Processor for Actel's RTAX2000S FPGAs

Combining the fault-tolerant LEON3 processor with Actel's radiation-tolerant RTAX2000S FPGA presents a competitive alternative to the processors currently used by the space industry.

The LEON3-FT is available in four different configurations tailored for spacecraft and instrument control. Other configurations are available by request. The components are pre-programmed into the RTAX-S devices and shipped with a complete datasheet and user's manual.

LEON3FT-RTAX will be used on the Taiwanese ARGO, the Swedish PRISMA missions, and in the BELA instrument, which is a laser altimeter, chosen to be a payload on the European Space Agency BepiColombo spacecraft.

At the Actel Space Forum, Gaisler presented details of the core, configurations, and performance, as well as discussed SEU mitigation techniques and the results of radiation tests performed by Gaisler Research. View the ASF Proceedings.

Interupts

PCI-SPW-1553 BridgeGaisler PCI to SpaceWire and 1553 Bridge

In addition to the LEON3-FT implementation on RTAX-S, Gaisler also offers a companion chip for space processors and systems with a PCI interface implemented on RTAX2000S.

The GR701A PCI to SpaceWire and 1553 Bridge has been developed as a companion chip for the AT697 SPARC V8 processor and other systems with PCI interfaces. The chip provides a complete solution with three SpaceWire links, redundant MIL-STD-1553B interfaces, redundant CAN-2.0 interfaces, two UARTs, I/O ports, and interface to external memory. All the blocks and interfaces are currently used in European and US space programs and have been successfully validated and qualified. The MIL-STD-1553B and PCI blocks make use of Actel PCI to SpaceWire and 1553 Bridge DiagramIP cores, whereas all other blocks, including the SpaceWire, are designed by Gaisler Research.

The GR701A is available as a standard component using the Actel RTAX2000S FPGA. The design is fault-tolerant and, in combination with the radiation-tolerant FPGA, this gives total immunity to radiation effects. This makes the GR701A ideally suited for space and other high-reliability applications.

Contact Info:
info@gaisler.com | support@gaisler.com | Phone: +46 31.7758650