Frontgrade Gaisler takes a leading role in an ambitious European Space Agency (ESA) initiative to bolster Europe’s independence in advanced semiconductor technologies tailored for space applications.
Under a newly inked agreement with ESA, Frontgrade Gaisler spearheads this strategic initiative aimed at developing some of the world’s most advanced integrated circuits for space. This effort leverages Ultra Deep Sub-Micron (UDSM) nodes as refined as 7nm. The initiative is part of ESA’s ‘EEE Space Component Sovereignty for Europe’ program designed to establish European technological independence.
Frontgrade Gaisler collaborates with industry giants like imec and IMST GmbH, bringing together their extensive expertise in high-performance microprocessors, semiconductor libraries, and memory interfaces. This collaboration seeks to meet escalating performance demands in space computing by incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, including high-speed serial interfaces, die-to-die interconnects, and system-in-package concepts.
Boris Glass, an ESA Technical Officer, emphasized the project’s significance, stating, ‘ESA is proud to support this groundbreaking initiative, which represents a critical step toward European sovereignty in advanced semiconductor technologies for space.’ By investing in UDSM processes like the 7nm FinFET CMOS technology, Europe ensures its leading position in space innovation and the necessary technological advancements for future satellite constellations and space exploration.
Initially, the consortium will focus on creating radiation-hardened libraries and Intellectual Property cores to serve as reliable foundations for UDSM-based integrated circuits. An advanced RISC-V microprocessor prototype will be developed and subjected to rigorous testing for performance and radiation resilience. Future projects aim to advance this prototype to full functionality and production, offering Europe autonomous and competitive space computing capabilities necessary for enhanced AI and Edge computing tailored for upcoming satellite constellations and deep-space missions.
Sandi Habinc, General Manager at Frontgrade Gaisler, highlighted the company’s long-standing expertise in providing advanced semiconductor products to the space sector. ‘Frontgrade Gaisler has decades of experience supplying the space sector with advanced semiconductor products, which lends itself well to the work of EEE Space Component Sovereignty for Europe,’ Habinc noted.
Frontgrade Gaisler, with a rich history in the industry, is well-suited to lead efforts toward pioneering space-grade microprocessor technology. Since its inception, the company has been dedicated to delivering tangible advancements that benefit the entire space community, paving the way for novel space missions and offering substantial growth opportunities for the sector as a whole.
The collaborative efforts led by Frontgrade Gaisler and its partners mark a significant milestone for Europe’s ambitions in space technology. By advancing semiconductor capabilities, this initiative not only strengthens Europe’s position in the global space arena but also sets the stage for future innovations and missions.
Source: Spacenews
