Rad-Hard NVM Enables Autonomous Signal Processing
Avalanche Technology is providing its radiation- and temperature-hardened nonvolatile memory (NVM) to Rincon Research for use in autonomous edge signal processing systems. The company's Spin Transfer Torque MRAM (STT-MRAM) offers persistent state retention and high endurance in harsh environments. This type of memory is critical for aerospace and defense platforms where system resets from power cycles or radiation events are possible.
- The memory modules are part of Avalanche's third-generation space-grade family, offered in densities from 1Gb to 8Gb with an asynchronous x32-interface. These devices feature write cycle endurance greater than 10^16 and are designed for high-reliability applications, operating in temperatures from -40°C to 125°C. - MRAM technology stores data using magnetic states rather than electrical charge, which makes it inherently resistant to radiation-induced single-event upsets (SEUs) and other effects common in space. This provides a key advantage over traditional volatile memories like SRAM and DRAM, as well as non-volatile flash memory, which are all susceptible to data corruption from radiation. - Rincon Research specializes in advanced digital signal processing and develops systems for the U.S. Defense and Intelligence communities. Their work includes RF signal collection and analysis, geolocation, and developing hardware like software-defined radios (SDRs) for small satellites and CubeSats. - The NVM will likely be used in products like Rincon's AstroSDR, a space-qualified software-defined radio and processing system that combines an FPGA, ARM processor, and data storage. Such systems perform mission-critical tasks like high-bandwidth cross-links, RF signal collection, and data compression autonomously onboard a satellite. - Avalanche's STT-MRAM provides performance comparable to SRAM, with 45ns read/write timings, but with the non-volatility of flash memory. This combination is critical for applications requiring instant-on capability and data logging after a power cycle or system reset in a harsh environment. - Recent NASA testing of Avalanche's space-grade STT-MRAM showed excellent radiation immunity, with no significant changes to electrical parameters up to a Total Ionizing Dose (TID) of at least 1 Mrad(Si). Single Event Latch-up (SEL) tests also showed a high tolerance, with no latch-ups observed at heavy ion bombardments up to 85.4 MeV*cm²/mg. - Compared to NOR flash often used for FPGA configuration, STT-MRAM offers significantly faster write speeds—sometimes up to 500 times faster—and consumes less energy. This is crucial for in-flight, over-the-air updates where the system can be vulnerable during the data pipeline's open window.
