Precision Power Management for Space Missions: Renesas and AMD Deliver Versal SoC Reference Design

Published  July 19, 2023   0
S Staff
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AMD Versal adaptive system-on-chip(SoC)

Renesas Electronics Corporation has unveiled a space-ready reference design in collaboration with AMD for the AMD Versal adaptive system-on-chip (SoC) XQRVC1902. The ISLVERSALDEMO2Z reference design integrates radiation-hardened components for power management, specifically designed to meet the stringent requirements of next-generation space avionics systems operating in harsh space environments. As core voltages decrease and currents increase for FPGAs and ASICs, meeting power requirements becomes challenging, especially in power-limited space missions exposed to extreme temperatures and radiation.

The Versal Adaptive SoC, a space-grade compute platform by AMD, demands a complete power management solution, and Renesas' reference design addresses these challenges. The ISLVERSALDEMO2Z generates power rails utilized by the Versal platform, including a low 0.80V core voltage supply capable of sourcing up to 140 A of current. Meticulously engineered to integrate all essential components into a small footprint, the reference design provides an ideal turnkey solution for Versal Adaptive SoC power management. AMD's senior director, Minal Sawant, emphasizes the importance of precision, efficiency, and dependability for the success of space missions with the combination of their radiation-tolerant Versal space-grade SoC and Renesas' power solution. Renesas' reference design incorporates a variety of radiation-tested power management devices, such as PWM controllers, GaN FET half-bridge drivers, POL regulators, power and enable switches, and power sequencers. The compact design of core power rail components takes up just 104 square centimeters of board area, equivalent to two business cards. The ISLVERSALDEMO2Z also provides customers with all necessary design files, including schematics, bill-of-materials, and PCB Gerber files, for easy integration into their systems.