Microchip Insider LinkedIn Newsletter: One Giant Leap with the PIC64-HPSC Microprocessor

Welcome back to the Microchip Insider LinkedIn Newsletter, where we finish our two-part series focusing on our new 64-bit microprocessor (MPU) solutions for intelligent edge and space computing applications. In this issue, we’re pleased to highlight our newest advancement in space technology—Microchip’s PIC64 High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (PIC64-HPSC) MPU.

As the space industry evolves across both the public and private sector and imposes rapidly expanding computational requirements, our PIC64-HPSC MPU offers the capabilities to help propel space avionics and payload innovation for decades to come. It is part of a new advanced computing development ecosystem that will leverage many of the same widely adopted standards and technologies that have driven commercial and industrial innovations worldwide.

Leading the Charge in the New Space Race

Space exploration has entered a new era, characterized by rapid commercialization, increased market diversification and ambitious missions that now range from long-duration exploration to shorter-duration, round-the-block commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services. With the PIC64-HPSC MPU family, Microchip meets these rapidly expanding needs with a 100X boost in performance for such real-time tasks as rover hazard avoidance on the Moon’s surface with the low power consumption and radiation protection for deep-space missions. The MPU also enables cost-optimized solutions for LEO applications with the necessary fault tolerance and radiation performance. Plus, users can create customized solutions for both with a single development effort that leverages a scalable, open-standard design ecosystem to reduce system costs and accelerate development of system-level integrated solutions. 

Visit our website to learn more about the features and capabilities of the PIC64-HPSC MPU, from its innovative architecture and high-speed network connectivity to its low-latency data transfers, platform-level defense-grade security, high fault-tolerance capabilities and flexible power tuning.

Empowering Innovation with a Robust Ecosystem

The PIC64-HPSC MPU isn't just a standalone processor, it is part of a triad of space-grade processing solutions that includes MCUs for intelligent edge processing and FPGAs and SoCs to provide reconfigurable functionality along with high reliability and security during different mission phases.

The PIC64-HPSC MPU is also the cornerstone of a new, modernized development ecosystem of space-grade products and third-party software contributions from over a dozen initial ecosystem partners. The PIC64-HSPC MPU supports multiple open-source, commercial and real-time operating systems including Linux® and RTEMS, as well as hypervisors such as the Xen Project®. Users can also develop their PIC64-HPSC based-project using the MPLAB® development ecosystem and industry-standard tools.

The ecosystem also includes space-grade companion components with proven flight heritage. These components are designed and qualified to deliver the necessary reliability for withstanding the rigors of the harsh environments found in space.

Explore the ecosystem here: PIC64-HPSC Ecosystem

A Legacy of Space Solutions

Microchip has been a trusted partner in space exploration for over 60 years, and there are tens of thousands of our parts in orbit. We offer one of today’s broadest portfolios for space applications, from MCUs, MPUs and FPGAs to oscillators and timing solutions, space-qualified discretes and space screening for RF products, among others. Technology innovations extend from semiconductor materials, high-density ICs and advanced packaging to power conversion and distribution, radio and radar signal processing, system telemetry and control, and digital logic integration.

Microchip has also played a pivotal role in helping system developers decrease the cost of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions through a transformation in how they evaluate their supply chain and component reliability. We were at the forefront of this segment’s adoption of proven Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions that deliver industrial- or automotive-grade reliability along with radiation performance improvements and quality flows corresponding with space-grade and hermetic packages. Space system developers can quickly develop prototypes and final designs for their systems with a radiation-tolerant device based on our familiar plastic COTS devices.

As the space industry accelerates faster than ever before, our commitment to innovation continues to help drive the future of spaceflight.

Learn more about our long-standing contributions to space missions: Space Solutions Brochure

Discover More

Dive deeper into how the PIC64-HPSC MPU is revolutionizing space computing:

Unveiling the PIC64-HSPC MPU Announcement

The launch of Microchip’s PIC64-HPSC MPU ushers in a new era of autonomous space computing and LEO satellite missions. It not only brings a suite of features and industry-standard interfaces and protocols not previously available for space applications, but the PIC64-HPSC MPU is also supported by a growing ecosystem of partners designed to help streamline and accelerate system level solution development. Read more about the launch of this first device in our planned family of PIC64-HPSC MPUs.

NASA and Microchip Collaboration

Explore the background of our collaboration with NASA JPL, which selected Microchip to build its PIC64-HPSC MPU in 2022. This partnership highlights our commitment to supporting space exploration and LEO commercial services with cutting-edge technology.

The Future of Space Computing

With increasingly complex missions demanding greater autonomy and computational prowess, learn about the essential characteristics of next-generation space processors and how PIC64-HPSC is poised to be a gamechanger for the future of space computing. Read our blog post, “The Dawn of the HPSC Era in Space Computing.”

Space Computing White Paper

Gain deeper insights into the dawn of the HPSC era including the challenges these space-computing MPUs will solve in our detailed white paper. It covers the technological advancements enabled by the PIC64-HPSC and its impact on the future of space missions. Download the white paper.

Product Video

Watch our latest video to see the PIC64-HPSC in action. This visual overview showcases the MPU’s capabilities and the benefits it brings to space exploration. Watch the video.

LinkedIn Newsletter: Expanding Horizons with the First of Our New PIC64 MPUs, the PIC64GX

In case you missed it, we introduced our new 64-bit MPU product line in a LinkedIn newsletter last month. This MPU brings real-time and application-class processing to intelligent edge designs for industrial, automotive, communications, IoT, aerospace and defense sectors. Catch up on that edition here.

The launch of the PIC64-HPSC MPU and its technology development ecosystem marks a significant milestone pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for modern missions in deep space as well as Low Earth Orbit. As we and our ecosystem partners continue to innovate with the PIC64-HPSC MPU family, and its growing roster of supporting space-grade products and third-party software, we invite you to stay connected with Microchip Technology by subscribing to our LinkedIn newsletter and following us on our social channels for more updates, insights and resources that will help you navigate the future of space exploration.

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