A specialized processor has been developed by Russia’s microelectronics industry to operate in high-radiation environments and be used in space, aviation, and defense equipment. The device was developed by the Scientific and Technical Center “Module” as part of the “Obrabotka-I10” R&D project, which was designed to create a domestic alternative to foreign radiation-hardened processors.
Signed in 2017, the state contract that initiated the project was valued at 603.7 million rubles. To meet the technical specifications, a radiation-hardened processor with a superscalar architecture and a clock frequency of at least 200 MHz was to be developed and prepared for serial production.
The most important outcome of the project, however, is that the work went beyond the experimental stage. The processor developed under the “Obrabotka-I10” project was ultimately taken into serial production, transforming the project into a tangible component of Russia’s domestic electronic component base.
A Russian Alternative to Foreign PowerPC Processors
The primary goal of “Obrabotka-I10” was to replace specialized foreign PowerPC-family processors that were used in equipment that necessitated high radiation resistance. The E2V PC7448 processor, which was developed by the British company e2v, was one of the reference products for the project.
These chips occupy a very different niche from conventional consumer processors. Maximum computing performance is not necessarily the main requirement for a satellite or spacecraft. The capacity of electronics to operate reliably for a long period of time, preserve data, and execute software predictably is of greater importance.
That makes developing such a processor considerably more difficult than simply designing a conventional processing core.
The technical specifications for “Obrabotka-I10” mandated a 64-bit processor solution that was based on the PowerPC 470S architecture and had a clock frequency of at least 200 MHz. It was necessary for the architecture to be superscalar to enable the processor to execute multiple operations concurrently at various stages of the process.
An Entire Computing System on a Single Chip
The project was also notable because it involved much more than a simple processor core. To build a comprehensive computing system, the specifications necessitated the integration of a wide variety of peripheral controllers.
The chip was to include an external memory controller, as well as SpaceWire, Ethernet, UART, and GPIO controllers. This integration is especially critical for onboard electronics, as it reduces the number of seperate components necessary on a circuit board by providing more functions directly on a single chip.
SpaceWire is particularly noteworthy. The interface is often used in spacecraft to facilitate the exchange of data between onboard computers, sensors, scientific instruments, and other spacecraft subsystems.
Earlier information about the project also indicated that the design included interfaces such as SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, UART, SPI, Ethernet, SDIO and GPIO. Different packaging alternatives were also assessed, such as ceramic containers and plastic BGA.
Why Radiation Resistance Matters
Radiation from high-energy particles is rarely a fundamental design consideration in a conventional terrestrial computer. The circumstance is fundamentally different in space.
Under specific circumstances, high-energy radiation can cause memory and logic errors, modify transistor behavior, and lead to electronic system failures. Consequently, radiation effects must be considered in the design of space processors at the architectural, semiconductor, and circuit library levels.
The technical specifications for “Obrabotka-I10” included stringent reliability and long-term storage requirements. The processor’s specified storage life was 25 years, and it was anticipated that it would have a mean time between failures of at least 132,000 hours, which is equivalent to more than 15 years.
This is especially crucial for satellites. It is generally impossible to replace a malfunctioning processor in orbit, which necessitates that the onboard electronics be capable of operating consistently for years without requiring physical maintenance.
From Development to Serial Production
The development did not remain at the experimental chip level, which is one of the most significant outcomes of the project. NTC Module verified that the contract had been finalized and that the processor developed for the project was being manufactured in a series.
The state contract itself illustrates the scale of the task. The project was not limited to the design of a radiation-hardened processor; it also encompassed the establishment of the conditions for its serial production.
That distinction is critical for Russia’s microelectronics industry. The challenges of producing a single experimental chip and establishing a sustainable production process for industrial quantities are vastly different. The latter is indispensable for authentic import substitution.
NTC Module is somewhat familiar with PowerPC technology. PowerPC-based computing solutions for aviation and other specialized applications have been previously developed by the company. For instance, the 1888TX018 system-on-chip integrates two PowerPC 470S processors with four NeuroMatrix NMC3 digital signal processors.
The architectural foundation for the development of specialized radiation-hardened computing solutions was established by the accumulation of this experience.
Significance for Russia’s Microelectronics Industry
Since the early 1990s, NTC Module has been engaged in the development of processors, systems-on-chip, and specialized integrated circuits in the Russian microelectronics sector. Its technologies are designed for various critical systems, such as navigation, aviation apparatus, and space.
“Obrabotka-I10” aims to fill a critical gap in electronic components with radiation-hardened processors for environments where conventional electronics fail.
The project is noteworthy not only as another Russian processor design but also as an illustration of the transition from import substitution on paper to an actual domestically produced specialized semiconductor. Additionally, the development was ultimately brought into serial production.