"FPGAs in space: current experiences, future challenges and opportunities", David Merodio Codinachs, ESA

FPGAs are key components in space equipment due to their versatility and performance to implement digital functions. They are embarked in satellites and used in many applications; such as observing the earth, provide telecommunications and navigation services as well as to contribute to science and explore the wider Universe. The FPGAs face very different conditions in space compared to the terrestrial applications, especially due to the radiation environment, which limits the selection of the FPGAs that can be used.

This talk will provide an overview of the current use of FPGAs in ESA missions and a short introduction to the radiation effects in the FPGAs, how they are analysed, tested and mitigated.

The emerging private space industry or “new space”, as well as, the nanosatellites have different requirements than the class 1 programmes. The points presented are becoming even more relevant and are including new challenges.

David Merodio Codinachs is since 2005 an ASIC/FPGA engineer at the European Space Agency (ESA). He has been providing support on the use of FPGAs and digital ASICs to several ESA projects and missions, especially for Earth Observation, Telecom and Science. Prior to joining ESA 12 years ago, he has been working as ASIC design consultant for Alcatel Bell (now Nokia) and Philips (now NXP) for microelectronics designs in telecommunications and medical/audio products. David holds an MSc in electronic engineering from Politecnico di Torino and an MSc in telecommunications engineering from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.