Error detection for adaptive computing architectures in spacecraft applications

The Australian FedSat satellite will incorporate a payload to validate the use of adaptive computing architectures in spacecraft applications. The technology has many exciting benefits for deployment in spacecraft, but the space environment also represents unique challenges which must be addressed. An important consideration is that modern SRAM Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), such as the Xilinx 4000 device used on FedSat, are vulnerable to a range of radiation induced errors. A system is required to detect and mitigate these effects. General strategies have been described in the literature, but this work is believed to be the first deployment of a complete space-ready FPGA error control system. A primary aim of the system is to quantify the range of effects that occur, so emphasis is placed on classifying a wide range of errors. Different strategies have distinct capabilities so the final system employs a blend of detection techniques.