Space AI Enhanced with Voltage Monitoring for Efficient Power Management

Renesas Electronics has unveiled a groundbreaking space-ready reference design tailored for low-cost AMD Versal AI Edge FPGA-based Adaptive SoC designs. This innovative power management design, developed in collaboration with AMD, features gallium nitride (GaN) FETs for the XQRVE2302 adaptive SoC, incorporating space-grade components.

The ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design integrates essential space-grade components to cater to the cost-effective AI Edge market. It is equipped with both rad-hard and rad-tolerant plastic solutions, meticulously designed to support a wide range of power rails for next-generation space avionics systems that require precise voltage tolerances, high current capabilities, and efficient power conversion.

Renesas touts this power management system as the industry's sole space-qualified solution with a digital wrapper that optimizes information transmission. The core power solution within this reference design is easily scalable in terms of output power, thereby maximizing customers' investments in design and qualification over time.

As the demand for lower-cost space-grade systems escalates with the increasing number of satellites planned for Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), Renesas' space-grade plastic components and GaN FETs are becoming increasingly vital. These components not only reduce size, weight, and cost but also enable the highest efficiency power conversion, catering to customers focused on minimizing SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power consumption) as well as cost (SWaP-C).

The Versal AI Edge Adaptive SoC, such as the XQRVE2302, plays a crucial role in converting raw sensor data into actionable insights, making it ideal for anomaly and image detection applications. With a significantly smaller board area and enhanced power savings compared to its predecessor, the XQRVC1902, this SoC integrates AMD's advanced AI Engine (AIE) technology, specifically optimized for machine learning (ML) applications.

The reference design is fully qualified for seamless integration into satellite payload architectures, featuring a PMBus interface that grants users control over fault behaviors, protection levels, and output regulation voltage. Additionally, the design provides telemetry readouts of internal signals for comprehensive system diagnostics.

The ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design includes power management devices rigorously tested and verified to withstand high levels of radiation exposure. These devices encompass PWM controllers, GaN FET half-bridge drivers, POL regulators, and power sequencers, all packaged in compact footprints, occupying just 67 square centimeters of board area.

"The Versal AI Edge XQRVE2302 Adaptive SOC offers unparalleled features and performance for the rapidly expanding space market," stated Minal Sawant, senior director of the Aerospace & Defense Vertical Market at AMD. "We are delighted that Renesas provides advanced power management capabilities that empower our customers to fully leverage this solution."

The reference design also interfaces with the ISL71148VMREFEV1Z voltage monitor reference design, boasting 14-bit resolution to accurately monitor all 11 core power rails of the Versal AI Edge Adaptive SOC. This high resolution ensures reliable system health monitoring and includes a "dual-footprint" to accommodate both space plastic and rad-hard hermetic solutions.

For more information, visit www.renesas.com/space.