The space-ready reference design for the AMD Versal adaptive SoC XQRVC1902 integrates key radiation-hardened components for power management, including four new products in a compact design. The Intersil ICs are specifically designed to support a wide range of power rails for next generation space avionics systems that demand tight voltage tolerances, high current, and efficient power conversion while withstanding the harsh environment of space.

As core voltages decrease and currents increase for FPGAs and ASICs, meeting stringent power requirements to ensure error-free operation is especially critical in space missions where power availability is limited and systems are exposed to extreme temperatures and radiation for an extended period of time.

The Versal Adaptive SoC is a space-grade compute platform that delivers full radiation tolerance, accelerated AI inference and high bandwidth signal processing performance. The ISLVERSALDEMO2Z generates each of the power rails utilised by the Versal platform, including a low 0.8V core voltage supply that can source up to 140A.

“As the number of satellite and spacecraft launches continues to accelerate rapidly, high-performance computing platforms such as the Versal Adaptive SoC are becoming more prevalent, necessitating new power solutions,” said Chris Stephens, vice president and general manager of the HiRel business division at Renesas. “Our new reference design has been meticulously engineered to meet the rigorous demands of operations in space, while integrating all of the essential components into a very small footprint,” he added.

Minal Sawant, senior director, Aerospace & Defense Vertical Market, AMD, added: “The combination of our radiation-tolerant Versal space-grade SoC and Renesas ISLVERSALDEMO2Z . . . provides our customers with the precision, efficiency, and dependability that are paramount for the successful execution of space missions.”

The reference design comes with an array of power management devices that have been tested and verified to withstand exposure to high levels of radiation. For example, it has pulse width modulation (PWM) controllers, GaN FET half bridge drivers, PoL regulators, power and enable switches and power sequencers. The devices come in small footprint packages; the core power rail components take up just 104 sq cm, which is approximately equivalent to two business cards, said Renesas.

All the design files need for rapid integration, including schematics, bill of materials and PCB Gerber files are included.

The reference design includes the ISL73847SEH rad-hard dual output PWM controller, the ISL73041SEH and ISL71441M Gan FET half-bridge drivers, claimed to be the first dedicated for space applications and the ISL73007SEH rad-hard PoL regulator.

All products are available today and the reference design is available upon request in limited quantities.