New Challenges for the Space Industry
This modern, entrepreneurial approach to the space industry emphasizes innovation, cost reduction and private-sector involvement. This still-emerging space industry contrasts with the traditional, government-led space programs that dominated the field during the twentieth century. In this new era, private companies play a significant role in space exploration, satellite deployment and potential human initiatives for space habitations.
This new trend for space industry represents the democratization of space, driven by commercial interests, technological advances and an evolving regulatory landscape that supports broader participation. The key drivers for this industry include:
- Commercial Focus: Private companies seek profits from satellite services, space tourism and mining resources
- Cost Efficiency: New Space emphasizes cost-cutting technologies, such as reusable rockets and more affordable satellites
- Rapid Innovation: The pace of innovation is faster, with companies leveraging advances in software, reusing largely deployed technologies, materials science and miniaturization
- Increased Accessibility: Smaller companies and nations can now participate in space activities through shared resources, like ridesharing on rockets
Scalable and Customizable Solutions
Our product offering combines agility and innovation to adapt to the ever-changing space industry. Our solutions support the key aspects of product development strategies by providing scalability and customization capability to meet the challenges of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations and space commercialization.
Our broad portfolio provides a diverse range of scalable and adaptable solutions by:
- Enabling design with our Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices, then seamlessly transitioning to space-qualified versions for production, which is made possible by features such as footprint compatibility and software reusability
- Leveraging our proven spaceflight experience with the sub-QML versions of our products to offer the radiation tolerance of QML components, which reduces screening requirements, lowers costs and shortens lead times
- Customizing and optimizing various aspects of our manufacturing processes, tailoring solutions to meet the unique requirements of specific mission profiles
All our products come with a wide variety of packages and quality-grade options, so they are suitable for low-cost programs and/or with scalable radiation performance for any mission profile.
From Industry Standards to Space-Qualified Solutions
Our large ecosystem and performance of COTS AVR® microcontrollers (MCUs) and Arm® Cortex® core-based MCUs allows us to offer scalable solutions, from COTS to space-qualified, radiation-tolerant and radiation-hardened versions. This scalability allows you to benefit from the various software and hardware environments, reducing development costs.
ATSAMV71Q21 COTS MCU
The ATSAMV71Q21 devices are a family of automotive Flash MCUs based on the high-performance 32-bit Arm Cortex-M7 processor. These MCUs are qualified up to AEC-Q100 Grade 2.
SAMV71Q21RT Radiation-Tolerant MCU
The SAMV71Q21RT is the radiation-tolerant version of our popular SAMV71Q21 based on the high-performance 32-bit Arm Cortex-M7 processor. It is available in plastic and ceramic packages and qualified to QMLQ, QMLV and high-reliability plastic grades.
SAMRH71 Radiation-Hardened MCU
The SAMRH71 is a radiation-hardened MCU with the best combination of space connectivity interfaces and high processing power. It is based on the high-performance Arm Cortex-M7processor. It is available in plastic and ceramic packages and qualified to QMLQ, QMLV, ESCC and high-reliability plastic grades.
Unrivalled Flight Heritage and Sub-QML-Screened Solutions
We have a strong heritage in deep space or institutional programs, as well as expertise in radiation hardening. Our portfolio is qualified under the most stringent referential, such as JANS, QML or ESCC.
The sub-QML version is the customization of the existing space-grade products with lower screening and in plastic package, when possible.
The sub-QML versions are the optimal solutions that combine the radiation tolerance of QML components with our space flight heritage to enable lower screening requirements for lower cost and shorter lead times.
Sub-QML-Screened RT PolarFire® FPGAs
Our RT PolarFire FPGAs combine our 60 years of space flight heritage with the industry’s lowest-power PolarFire FPGA family to enable new capabilities for space applications.
Sub-QML-Screened RT PolarFire SoC FPGAs
The PolarFire SoC FPGA family delivers a combination of low power consumption, thermal efficiency and defense-grade security for smart, connected systems.
Sub-QML-Screened RTG4™ RT FPGAs
RTG4 FPGAs integrate our fourth-generation Flash-based FPGA fabric and high-performance interfaces, such as Serialization/Deserialization (SerDes), on a single chip. They are resistant to radiation-induced configuration upsets in the harshest radiation environment.
Elevate Your Vision With Our Portfolio of Scalable, Customizable Solutions
Here are some examples of our various scalability and customization options:
High-Performance MPUs
Explore our radiation-tolerant, high-performance 64-bit microprocessor (MPU)—the Low Earth Orbit (LEO)-adapted version of the PIC64-HPSC1000.
Interface and Connectivity
Explore our scalable, radiation-tolerant Gigabit Ethernet PHYs that are available in the automotive-grade and radiation-tolerant versions, such as the VSC8574 and the VSC8574RT.
Memory
Explore our scalable Flash memory devices that are available in automotive-grade and radiation-tolerant versions, such as the SST38VF6401B and the SST38LF6401RT.
Clock and Timing
Explore our radiation-tolerant L Series oscillators, such as the LO-200, which is the LEO-adapted version of the OX-200.
Mixed-Signal ICs
Explore our sub-QML mixed-signal ICs with reduced screening that are available in a plastic package.
Power Discretes
Explore the Microchip New Space (MNS) flow for diodes and transistors. We offer radiation-hardened, space-grade components that meet the requirements of RT LEO devices.
Power Management
Explore our LE50 radiation-tolerant DC-DC power converter, a version of the SA50 for LEO applications.
RF and Microwave
We offer customized product solutions for new space applications that comply with industry standards such as MIL-PRF-38534 and EEE-INST-002. Our commitment to excellence ensures the highest levels of reliability, even in the most demanding and mission-critical environments.