Description:
TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics, Space Platforms
OBJECTIVE: Develop a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) for space applications that is radiation hardened for survivability.
DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks to develop a radiation hardened GPU for space applications in low Earth orbits (up to 1000 km) and medium Earth orbits (< ~13,000 km) with a goal of radiation hardening to support missions in the inner Van Allen Belt. Hardening and/or additional shielding should reduce the susceptibility of the GPU to radiation; however, shielding adds additional mass and size. The lifetime for the GPU should be greater than 2 years with a goal of 5 years. Central Processing Units (CPUs) have been instrumental in processing sensor data. The CPUs typically have a few cores and can only process a few software threads at a time. Recent advances in sensor technology require much more capable processing units to perform processing in real-time. To accommodate for the real-time processing demands of modern sensor technologies, a GPU is desired. GPUs have hundreds of cores, can process thousands of threads at a time, and therefore are ~10X faster than CPUs.
PHASE I: Demonstrate through modeling, simulations, and analysis (MS&A), and proof-of-principle experiments, the critical elements for the proposed GPU technology. Validate the feasibility of the proposed technology and provide proof-of-concept documentation. The proof-of-concept documentation should include a clear, concise technology development plan and schedule, predicted GPU performance metrics, a transition risk assessment, and associated requirements documentation. Collaborate and cultivate relationships with other contractors to ensure the applicability of the space-based GPU and to initiate technology transition.
PHASE II: Fabricate a prototype or engineering demonstration unit of the space-based GPU technology using the resulting designs, techniques, and architectures developed during Phase I. Characterize and test the GPU and provide the real-time processing performance. Radiation testing is highly encouraged. Generate comparisons between the MS&A Phase I results against the GPU performance test data obtained during Phase II and note any differences. Provide the GPU technology and interface electronics to a laboratory for test and validation of the proposed technology. Continue to collaborate and cultivate relationships with other contractors while considering the overall objective of commercialization of the GPU technology in Phase III.
PHASE III: Either solely, or in partnership with a suitable production foundry, implement, and verify (in full scale) that the Phase II demonstration technology is economically viable. Develop and execute a plan to market the GPU technology. Assist the government in transitioning the GPU technology to a prime contractor for the engineering integration and testing.
REFERENCES:
1: Buonaiuto N, Kief C, Louie M, Aarestad J, Zufelt B, Mital R, Mateik D, Sivilli R, and Bhopale A. Satellite Identification Imaging for Small Satellites Using NVIDIA, Small Satellite Conference, 201
2: NVIDIA Tesla K20, https://www.nvidia.com/content/PDF/kepler/Tesla-K20-Passive-BD-06455-001-v0pdf and http://www.nvidia.com/content/PDF/kepler/Tesla-K20-Active-BD-06499-001-v0pdf.
3: NVIDIA Tesla K40, https://www.nvidia.com/content/PDF/kepler/Tesla-K40-Active-Board-Spec-BD-06949-001_v0pdf.
4: Stassinopoulos EG, and Raymon JP. The space radiation environment for electronics, Proc. of IEEE, vol. 76, 198
5: Tripathi RK. Radiation Effects In Space, AIP Conf. Proc., vol. 1336, 201
KEYWORDS: Graphics Processing Unit, GPU, Radiation Hardened, Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit, Modern Sensor Technology
CONTACT(S):
Robert Parmele
(256) 450-1894
robert.parmele@mda.mil
