COTS Arm Core MCUs deliver quick prototyping for space applications

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Microchip Technology Inc. has launched the space industry’s first Arm-based microcontrollers (MCUs) that combine the benefits of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology with space-qualified versions that have scalable levels of radiation performance. This allows designers to start prototyping with a commercial device before moving to a radiation-qualified version, which cuts development time and cost.

The new SAMV71Q21RT radiation-tolerant  and SAMRH71 radiation-hardened MCUs  are based on the automotive-qualified SAMV71 and implement the Arm Cortex-M7 system-on-chip (SoC). This enables more integration, cost reduction, and higher performance in space systems, said Microchip.

Software developers can start their designs with a lower-cost COTS SAMV71 device before moving to a space-grade component. Both COTS devices use the same software development toolchain, including software libraries, board support package (BSP), and operating system (OS) first level of porting. All software development can be swapped out to a radiation-tolerant or radiation-hardened version in a high-reliability plastic package or space-grade ceramic package.

Microchip said that the SAMV71Q21RT radiation-tolerant MCU reuses the full COTS mask set and offers pinout compatibility, so designers can quickly scale from COTS to qualified space parts.

The SAMV71Q21RT can be used in NewSpace applications such as low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations and robotics. The SAMV71Q21RT ensures an accumulated TID of 30 Krad (Si) with latchup immunity and is nondestructive against heavy ions.

The SAMRH71 radiation-hardened MCU is designed for more critical sub-systems like gyroscopes and star tracker equipment and deep-space applications. It also features dedicated SpaceWire and MIL-STD-1553 interfaces for control and high-speed data management up to 200 Mbits/s. Radiation performance includes:

• Accumulated TID of more than 100 Krad (Si)
• No Single Event Upset (SEU) Linear Energy Transfer (LET) up to 20 MeV.cm²/mg, without system mitigation
• Designed for No Single-Event Functional Interrupts (SEFI), which secures all memories’ integrity

Both devices are fully immune to Single-Event Latchup (SEL) up to 62 MeV.cm²/mg. Other key features include fault management and data integrity features such as error-correcting code (ECC) memory, integrity check monitor (ICM), and memory protection unit (MPU), as well as CAN FD and Ethernet AVB/TSN connectivity.

An evaluation board (ATSAMV71-XULT) is available. Designers can use the Atmel Studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for developing, debugging, and software libraries. Both devices will also be supported in MPLAB Harmony version 3.0 by mid-2019.

Sampling is available for the SAMRH71 in a CQFP256 ceramic package, while the SAMV71Q21RT is available in volume-production quantities in four derivatives:

• SAMV71Q21RT-DHB-E in ceramic prototype QFP144 package
• SAMV71Q21RT-DHB-MQ in ceramic space-grade QFP144 package, QMLQ equivalent
• SAMV71Q21RT-DHB-SV in ceramic space-grade QFP144 package, QMLV equivalent
• SAMV71Q21RT-DHB-MQ in plastic QFP144 package, AQEC high reliability qualified