Microchip adds radiation-tolerant 64-Mbit parallel SuperFlash memory

Microchip Technology Inc. has released a radiation-tolerant, 64-megabit (Mbit) parallel-interface SuperFlash memory device as a companion to its space-ready microcontroller (MCU), microprocessor (MPU,) and field programmable gate array (FPGA) portfolio. The 64-Mbit parallel SuperFlash memory is radiation-tolerant up to 50 kilorad (Krad) total ionizing dose (TID) even while the flash is still biased and operating and 100 Krad unbiased.

The SST38LF6401RT device enables systems to operate in a range of space applications where they cannot afford any loss of code execution that could lead to severe defects and system loss, said Microchip. The device is rated up to 10,000 cycles minimum/greater than 100 years data retention.

Microchip said the SuperFlash device is suited as a companion to the SAMRH71 Arm Cortex-M7-based radiation-hardened SoC processor. The SARH71 is one of the first Arm-based MCUs that combine the benefits of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology with space-qualified versions with scalable levels of radiation performance, enabling engineers to start designing with a COTS version before moving to a radiation-qualified version.

The SuperFlash memory can also be used with the RT PolarFireFPGAs to support in-flight system reconfiguration. These FPGAs offer expanded logic density and higher performance for improvement in signal processing throughput.

Microchip is currently shipping engineering silicon for the RT PolarFire FPGA while the device is being qualified to spaceflight component reliability standards. This will enable designers to prototype with the silicon that will have the same electrical and mechanical performance that the space-qualified RT PolarFire FPGAs will provide for on-orbit processing systems. Microchip is qualifying the RT PolarFire RTPF500T FPGAs to Mil Std 883 Class B, QML Class Q and QML Class V, which is the highest qualification and screening standard for monolithic integrated circuits in space. Engineering models are available in a hermetically-sealed ceramic package with land grid, solder ball, and solder column termination options.

The SST38LF6401RT is pinout compatible with its industrial version for easy transition to the space-qualified plastic or ceramic versions at the printed circuit board. The device is sampling now in a ceramic version. An evaluation board, demonstration software, and an FPGA flight programming reference case for combining the SuperFlash device with an FPGA and a SAMRH71 processor with supporting software are all available on request. Voltage operation ranges from 3.0 to 3.6 volts.