Project description
Programmable mixed-signal electronics solutions for tiny satellites
The space market is witnessing significant growth thanks to NewSpace, a movement seeking to make the space industry more accessible to scientists, the independent private sector and the general public. NewSpace is fuelling the sector's development mainly by miniaturising satellite sizes and lowering launch costs. The use of application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) – tailor-made circuits for a particular application – is highly favoured in miniaturised satellites. The EU-funded PROMISE project aims to provide the space community with flexible mixed-signal ASIC architecture based on its portfolio of radiation-hardened designs. Assuming one ASIC per constellation and 4 pieces per satellite are installed, the project expects to deliver more than 2 800 units over the next 5 years. PROMISE's planned IP dissemination, commercialisation and management will allow efficient reuse of the project’s outcomes.
Objective
Space Market is liviSpace Market is living a mutation with the emergence of NewSpace, promoting integration/miniaturization, satellite acceleration, cost-efficient and cost-reduction approaches for all mission types: Earth Observation, Science, Telecom, Navigation and Robotic Exploration. Accordingly, middle range ASIC solutions are in competition with high performance/high capacity FPGA, new multicore devices and Rad Tolerant parts and COTS. Indeed, Mixed Signal ASIC solutions offer functional added value for testability of electronic units and digitalization of full analog functions. Hence, the PROMISE project sets clear and measurable objectives to optimize the design cost, shorten schedule and de-risk analog and mixed ASIC radhard design, manufacturing and qualification by covering the needs of the space industry. More specifically, PROMISE will provide the space community with a flexible mixed signal ASIC architecture design ecosystem built on a portfolio of hardened features. The project will also provide a flexible mixed signal ASIC manufacturing and qualification ecosystem. Last but not least, PROMISE will deliver IP dissemination, commercialization and intellectual property management to allow efficient reuse of the project’s outcomes and efficient environment for new IPs and mid-range ASIC design for space applications. PROMISE, led by Thales Alenia Space, encompasses diverse European partners, subcontractors, potential users or solution providers, all top actors of the European Mixed Signal ASIC ecosystem. The market for mega constellations is in full swing and several initiatives promoted by different operators are already underway. Thanks to PROMISE, a 50 % market share will be reached, so an estimate of 706 satellites will be delivered within a period of 5 years. Assuming only 1 PROMISE based ASIC per constellation and at least 4 pieces of this ASIC per satellite, this means more than 2800 units will be delivered in the first 5 years after the project.
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Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
28760 Tres Cantos
Spain