Rad-tolerant 3U, CompactPCI I/O cards

Citation

(2007), "Rad-tolerant 3U, CompactPCI I/O cards", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 79 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2007.12779ead.008

Rad-tolerant 3U, CompactPCI I/O cards

Rad-tolerant 3U, CompactPCI I/O cards

Aitech Defense Systems, Inc., an independent manufacturer of open architecture board and subsystem level products for harsh environment defense, aerospace and astronautics applications, now offers two radiation- tolerant 3U, CompactPCI (cPCI) I/O cards that are said to increase real-time communication and I/O functions between control subsystems and external subsystems. The analog S930 and digital S940 FPGA-based cards both feature triple redundant buffer memory and can reportedly generate interrupts, eliminating the need for a more costly onboard processor to manage the I/O.

The conduction-cooled cards come standard with component screening to NASA GSFC 311-INST-001A Level 2, making them ideal for high density, rugged, aerospace applications such as satellites, other spacecraft and the International Space Station, where they are currently in use today.

These new, low-power single-slot I/O cards incorporate a PCI bridge implemented by an anti-fuse FPGA for added radiation tolerance that allows a processor module to access the I/O from the cPCI bus. Their onboard BIT (burn-in test) circuitry and logic enables self-monitoring.

Each card also claims specific advantages. The S930 employs a 12- bit A/D converter that enhances subsystem sensitivity by detecting minute changes in externally-sensed voltages. It also features 64 analog channels (51 inputs, two outputs and 11 bus voltage monitors) as well as a low pass filter with cut-off frequency below 50Hz on all inputs. The board draws less than 10W of power.

The S940 incorporates an H-bridge that efficiently provides pulse code modulation (PCM) control and drives the DC motors, and its four RS422 inputs and 12 RS422 outputs help DC motor controls sense how the motor is operating. Additional interfaces include a reaction wheel tachometer interface, a separation switch closure interface and a torque rod interface. Power consumption is less than 13.5W.

Aitech employs stringent quality control and product testing practices for the S930 and S940 that help lower product development risks, reduce time to market and decrease fielding and maintenance costs for users. The company is certified to ISO9001:2000 and AS9100:2001 as well as registered and certified by NASA for ANSI/J- STD-001 assembly and IPC-A-610B inspection processes.

Both the S930 and S940 are available in air- or conduction-cooled versions and various component quality standards from ceramic to fully NASA-level certified.

Details available from: Aitech Defense Systems, Inc., E-mail: sales@rugged.com