Renesas Electronics, a provider of advanced semiconductor solutions, has unveiled a comprehensive space-ready reference design for the AMD Versal AI Edge XQRVE2302 Adaptive SOC.
Created in partnership with AMD, the ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design incorporates essential space-grade components for power management. It aims to support cost-effective AI Edge solutions with both radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant plastic options, specifically engineered for the diverse power rails required by next-generation space avionics systems. These systems demand precise voltage tolerances, high current, and efficient power conversion.
The ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design is fully qualified for seamless integration into satellite payload architectures. It features a PMBus interface, allowing users to manage fault behaviours, protection levels, and output regulation voltage. Additionally, the design offers telemetry readouts for internal signal diagnostics, making it the only space-qualified power management system with a digital wrapper to optimise information transmission. The core power solution is scalable in terms of output power, ensuring optimal investment in design and qualification over time.
With the increasing number of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, the demand for lower-cost space-grade systems is rising swiftly. Customers traditionally focused on minimising Size, Weight, and Power consumption (SWaP) are now also concerned with reducing cost (SWaP-C). Renesas’ ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design effectively addresses these factors. The use of space-grade plastic components reduces size, weight, and cost, while wide-bandgap GaN FETs ensure the highest efficiency in power conversion.
The Versal AI Edge Adaptive SoC processes raw sensor data into actionable information, making the XQRVE2302 ideal for anomaly and image detection applications. This SoC boasts a nearly 75% smaller board area and significant power savings compared to the previous-generation XQRVC1902. It also features the enhanced AMD AI Engine (AIE) technology, AIE-ML, optimised for machine learning applications and supports unlimited reprogramming, unlike competing solutions.
“We’re proud to team with AMD to deliver this advanced solution that addresses the most pressing concerns of space customers,” said Josh Broline, Sr. Director, Marketing and Applications of the HiRel Business Division at Renesas. “Along with our hallmark power management expertise, this reference design meets SWaP-C objectives, enables real-time system monitoring and control, and unlocks the power of AI.”
“The Versal™ AI Edge XQRVE2302 Adaptive SOC delivers unprecedented features and performance for the rapidly growing space market,” said Minal Sawant, Senior Director, Aerospace & Defense Vertical Market, AMD. “We’re pleased that Renesas offers advanced power management functionality that enables our customers to take full advantage of this solution.”
Renesas’ ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design includes power management devices tested and verified to withstand high radiation levels. These components include Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controllers, GaN FET half-bridge drivers, point-of-load (POL) regulators, and power sequencers. The compact design ensures that the core power rail components occupy just 67 square centimetres of board area.
Furthermore, the ISLVERSALDEMO3Z integrates seamlessly with the ISL71148VMREFEV1Z voltage monitor reference design, which offers 14-bit resolution to accurately monitor all 11 core power rails of the Versal AI Edge Adaptive SOC. The high resolution ensures reliable system health monitoring. The design features a “dual-footprint” to accommodate both space plastic and radiation-hardened hermetic solutions.
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