Technology for Responsive Space Capability

Inherent Responsiveness:Reconfigurability

Robert D. Pugh, PhDAssociate Chief

Scientist Space Vehicles Directorate

Air Force Research Laboratory

Two Ways to be Responsive

1. Launch on Demand– When a new/additional space capability is

needed, rapidly launch payloads with that capability

2. Use existing space systems– On-orbit “spares”—pre-positioned assets

- or -– Reconfigure existing assets to provide new

capability

Reconfigurable Systems

•Reconfigurability is a game changer for high-performance & enduring space capabilities– Flexible, robust, adaptable systems

• Tele-configuration• Multi mode, multi function operation

– Time shared hardware– Reusable hardware

•Reconfigurability blurs the Hardware/Software boundaries– Manual or Automated

• Adjustable antennas • IC architectures and processors modified on board

– Intelligent/Autonomous• Adaptable solutions to unanticipated problems• Self repair

Benefits of Reconfigurability

•Systems designed for flexibilityOn Orbit—Inherent Responsiveness

• Tele-configuration• Self Repair

In Production—Reduced Development Time• Multipurpose components• Adaptable interfaces

•Managing complexitySystems Engineering

• Flexibility to simplify integration• Configuration control• Internal diagnostics

Examples of Reconfigurable Technologies

Applicable technologies are developing rapidly

–FPGA’s: Field Programmable Gate Arrays WIDELY used

–Software defined radio: JTRS, cell phones

–Reconfigurable antennas: DARPA, Boeing, Others

–Reconfigurable computing • AF Industry partnerships for reconfigurable processors

• DARPA polymorphic computing & reconfigurable satellites

• IBM self-healing computers are “surging to market”

–Reconfigurable satellites: DARPA, Boeing

Example – Boeing satellites

w/ on-orbit adjustable antennas and processors(Wall Street Journal, 2002 and 2003)

Boeing Shifts Satellite Strategy in Effort to Regain Customers(Wall Street Journal, August 29, 2002)(AP) “Boeing, hurt by quality control problems afflicting a number of it largest satellites, has embarked on a major shift to build smaller and more flexible models in an effort to regain customers. Some versions in the new line will be the first satellites capable of being reconfigured in Space to changing customer and market demands….”

Boeing Shifts Satellite Strategy in Effort to Regain Customers(Wall Street Journal, August 29, 2002)(AP) “Boeing, hurt by quality control problems afflicting a number of it largest satellites, has embarked on a major shift to build smaller and more flexible models in an effort to regain customers. Some versions in the new line will be the first satellites capable of being reconfigured in Space to changing customer and market demands….”

The Truth* About Reconfigurability

•Techno-geek jargon hinders acceptance of the new paradigm– Terminology is neither rigorous or standard– Jargon conjures up concerns about risk– Risk is expensive and avoided in space systems

•Applicable technologies are in use and developing rapidly– Increasingly complex systems demand flexibility– High costs of space demands reconfigurablity

•Two paths to inserting reconfigurable technologies– System capability driven– Market/competition driven *The truth according to

Janet

*The truth according to Janet

Flexibility: Why it’s important

and why it’s difficult•Motivation

– Tele-alteration: Change from distance, refocus mission, extend platform utility

– Fault tolerance: Improved robustness, defect management

– Rapid development: software programmable vs. “build from scratch”

•Why it’s difficult– Presently, architectures are collections of single-

function components hard-wired together– Flexibility (reconfigurability) requires:

• Multi-/variable-function components• The ability to “edit” interconnect patterns of a system

Flexibility Drives InterconnectionsFlexibility Drives Interconnections

Vision for Reconfigurable Components and

MicrosystemsSelf-repair

- overcome effects of threats & environment

- improve reliability lifetime

- graceful degradation

Adapt to evolving threats, missions, & environments

- self-optimizing, high performance

- reconfigurable functionally

- redefinable power & data pathways

- monolithically integrated sensors

Reduce deployment time

- adaptive interfaces to facilitate spacecraft integration

- reduce parts variety

- monolithic analog/digital/RF

Reconfigurable System Enablers

The Innovative Solution Space

•Adaptive Digital Electronics – traditional (von Neumann) digital circuits combined with FPGA’s to create self-repairing, configurable electronics

•Smart Sensors –monolithically integrated, agile, self-organizing focal planes and antennas

•Agile Analog Electronics – reconfigurable analog and mixed signal arrays for adaptive systems-on-chip to alter responses and sensor/actuator interfaces

•Reconfigurable Wires – reconfigure signal & power pathways using adaptive MEMS-based manifolds (“smart wiring harnesses” under software control)

•Flexible Microwave Electronics – reprogrammable RF circuits, transmission lines, antennas, adaptive anti-jam circuits

• Intelligent Power Control Electronics – adapt to changes in voltage supply and load while maintaining efficiency; distributed power management and energy storage and flexible power distribution

TraditionalComputers

Digital systems

Analog systems

FPGAs

Pro

gra

mm

ab

leA

nalo

g a

rrays

Pro

gra

mm

ab

lem

icro

wave

configurable power

Programmable wiring

Programmable matter

configurable mechanisms

Reconfigurable System Enablers

The Innovative Solution Space

Reconfigurability Enabling Technologies Developed by

the AFRL Space Vehicles

Directorate

Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS)

Virtually every macro-device has a micro-counterpart– Micro-gyros, micro-accelerometers– Micro-mirrors & micro-optical systems– Micro-relays– Micro-thrusters– Micro-chemical sensors

Micro-relays

•Machines-on-a-chip– Integrated circuit

chips with moving parts

Goal –Reprogrammable wiring

harnesses

Technology Challenges–Quality switches–Developing effective resource

grid & switch population scheme

Approach–MEMS micro-latching relays –FPGA routing algorithms

Accomplishments–Developed simple prototype of

harness routing tool–First pass design of primitive

(80 switch) harness

Flexibility: MEMS Adaptive Manifold

28VDC

5VDC

-15VDC

ProgramVDC

Analog_2

Diagnostic

COMM_1

COMM_2

+15VDC

Analog_1

Conceptual “tree-of-meshes” harness for future space avionics (requires MEMS

latching switches and extra wires)

Game-changing applications of MEMS devices for more flexible spacecraft

Game-changing applications of MEMS devices for more flexible spacecraft

Reconfigurable Interconnect:

Chalcogenide WiresChalcogenide, the Workhorse of Reconfigurable Electronics

Chalcogenide molecular structure determineselectrical properties

Current pulse induces ultra-fast phase transition

Resistivity changes up to six orders of magnitude

•Materials with externally controllable electrical conductivity

– Numerous components exploit this controllable conductivity•Programmable resistors for analog functions•Reconfigurable interconnections •Multi-state (analog) non-volatile memory technology•Microwave transmission lines, antenna elements

I

time

( > 104)

FCASENSOR

ADAPTIONSEGMENT

MIRROR SEGMENT

for Fast-steering

mirror

FPASENSOR

ADAPTIONSEGMENT

CONFIGURATIONMANAGEMENTPROCESSOR

FPA

CRYOCOOLER

MIRRORS

SOFTWAREDEFINED

HARDWARE

1 G

BA

UD

!

Reconfigurable Systems Malleable Signal Processor

(MSP)S

EN

SO

R

MSP

“JUKEBOX”

Multi-chip module

MSP core

Multi-chip module

MSP core

Morphable hardware miniaturized and running in

real-time

Morphable hardware miniaturized and running in

real-time

• Hardware that can adapt to new sensor types & mission scenarios – Reconfigurable logic

becomes real-time, embedded interface•Digitally configured

front-end

– Multiple interfaces, each for a specific sensor•FPA, ladar, steering mirrors

Sensor and Fusion Engine (SAFE)

Embedded, reconfigurable supercomputer– 17 multi-chip modules

incorporating 15,000 contacts– 12 GFLOPs, 32 Gbit/sec BW– Real-time sensors & mirrors

at 100 frames/sec

Multiple sensor input

First demonstration of embedded processing system scalable to 1TFLOP/cubic foot

First demonstration of embedded processing system scalable to 1TFLOP/cubic foot

2 MSPs + 100 processors

Inherent Responsivenessfor System Development

“It is a special combination of hardware and software ideas, combined with… modular gadgets that enable the rapid integration to happen.”

“When you do not have to rip apart and re-do cabling, or modify and re-qualify hundreds of thousands of lines of code, then you have something that can truly be ‘rapid.’ ”

“It is the only way I can envision doing truly FAST prototyping.”

Jim LykeSpace Electronics BranchAir Force Research Laboratory

Responsive Space Technology

•Reconfigurability Inherently ResponsiveOn Orbit

– Tele-configuration– Self Repair

In Production– Multipurpose components– Adaptable interfaces--Reduced development time!

•Technologies are in use and developing rapidly Technology is driven by increasingly complex systems

•Technology is ready for insertion Insertion driven by

– System performance requirements– Market competition

AFRL/VS embraces reconfigurability as the approach to assure our Nation’s continued asymmetric advantage in space

AFRL/VS embraces reconfigurability as the approach to assure our Nation’s continued asymmetric advantage in space