Cutting-Edge RISC-V Processor and TSN Switch for AI Space Applications

Microchip is making significant strides in the field of space technology by qualifying an eight-core fault-tolerant RISC-V processor designed specifically for artificial intelligence applications in space. The radiation-tolerant PIC64-HSPC octal core 1.2GHz switch, boasting 26K DMIPS, is constructed on a 12nm FINFET process at GlobalFoundries in the United States.

The PIC64-HSPC represents the second addition to Microchip's new 64-bit RISC-V processor family. It leverages the X280 RISC-V cores from SiFive, incorporating vector extensions tailored for machine learning and AI tasks. This development marks the initiation of the 64-bit PIC64 family with RISC-V architecture.

The eight-core processor features advanced capabilities such as 240Gbit/s time-sensitive networking (TSN), CXL2.0 memory interconnect, and RMAP-compatible SpaceWire ports with internal routers. With a three-level cache, the device can deliver up to 2TOPS of INT8 AI inference performance.

Microchip is fostering a new ecosystem for space design, collaborating with more than a dozen system and software partners to expedite the adoption of PIC64-HPSC on Single-Board Computers (SBCs), space-grade companion components, and a network of open-source and commercial software partners.

The radiation- and fault-tolerant PIC64-HPSC is being deployed to NASA and the wider defense and commercial aerospace sector for AI and machine learning applications. Notable fault-tolerance features include Dual-Core Lockstep (DCLS) operation, WorldGuard hardware architecture for partitioning and isolation, and an onboard system controller for fault monitoring and mitigation.