Using RISC-V to Simplify Data Logging in Space

Worldwide demand for low Earth orbit satellites is increasing at an unprecedented pace, driven by diverse needs such as faster and more affordable Internet access, and faster revisit rates with finer resolution for imaging data. The satellite payload instruments performing communications or imaging functions are becoming increasingly sophisticated and capable and require the collection of increasing amounts of telemetry data to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the satellite.

This is accomplished using multiple large, power-hungry, and heat-generating circuit cards that contain a variety of discrete components for monitoring payload health. The component count of these I/O cards and the area and power they consume can all be significantly reduced by leveraging the latest advances in radiation-hardened mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) combined with a new open instruction set architecture (ISA) for reduced instruction set computing called RISC-V.