BAE Systems has demonstrated that its Endura system-on-chip (SoC) processor can withstand both natural space radiation and the extreme radiation conditions associated with strategic missions, marking a step toward more resilient space electronics.<\/p>\n
The company said the Endura SoC successfully completed strategic radiation-hardened testing, validating its ability to operate in environments where conventional commercial processors would be vulnerable to radiation-induced failures.<\/p>\n
Developed using BAE Systems\u2019 radiation-hardened 45-nanometer (RH45 nm) technology, the processor is designed for satellites and other spacecraft that require high reliability while maintaining lower size, weight and power requirements.<\/p>\n
The technology was built on GlobalFoundries\u2019 commercial 45 nm silicon-on-insulator manufacturing platform at the company\u2019s New York fabrication facility, enabling secure domestic production for aerospace and defense applications.<\/p>\n
Built for space<\/p>\n
\u201cThis milestone positions the Endura SoC as a leading high-performance processor for the space community,\u201d said Joe Dziezynski, Space Systems product line director at BAE Systems. \u201cLeveraging commercial foundry technology, Endura delivers a smaller, lower-power and more cost-effective solution for missions requiring survivability in harsh radiation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Space electronics are continuously exposed to radiation from solar activity and cosmic rays, which can damage circuits, corrupt memory or cause processors to malfunction. Radiation-hardened chips are specially designed to continue operating in these environments, making them critical for satellites, military spacecraft and deep-space missions.<\/p>\n
Unlike conventional commercial processors, radiation-hardened chips are engineered to resist single-event upsets and cumulative radiation damage that can disrupt onboard computing. This helps spacecraft maintain reliable operation during long-duration missions where repairing failed hardware is often impossible.<\/p>\n
According to BAE Systems, the latest testing also demonstrates that its RH45 technology can improve the survivability of other space electronics, including single-board computers.<\/p>\n
The Endura SoC combines general-purpose processing, networking, secure boot capabilities and integrated Level 1 and Level 2 cache. It also incorporates field-programmable gate array (FPGA) components that can be configured for mission-specific computing tasks while accelerating data <\/a>input and output.<\/p>\n Faster space computing<\/p>\n \u201cGlobalFoundries\u2019 facility in Malta, New York, is a cornerstone of trusted U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, providing the secure, domestic foundational technologies needed for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications,\u201d said Ezra Hall, senior director of aerospace and defense at GlobalFoundries.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking with the U.S. government, GF and BAE Systems are extending strategic manufacturing and technology advancements to address the evolving needs for resilient, trusted and scalable microelectronics<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n BAE Systems said the processor is being integrated into its next-generation Endura product family, which is intended to support both high-reliability Class A missions and lower-cost Class C and D space missions.<\/p>\n