Application of VLSI/VHSIC Technology for Satellite/Platform Systems

With the advent of higher and higher data rates and signal processing requirements for onboard platform processing the need for faster computational capability has grown well beyond the capabilities of existing space-qualified computers. This problem has become a major technical issue in the design of the next-generation satelite and platform systems for commercial and military use. As a matter of fact, it is becoming a major issue in the Strategic Defense Initiatve (SDI), the development of the MILSTAR Satellite System, as well as advanced infrared (IR) and radar satellites/platforms planned for the future. Future platforms will require larger onboard processing systems than are currently in use in order to satisfy their data processing, command and control communications requirements. This paper will summarize the processing needs of onboard systems and present a specific example of the design of a VLSI/VHSIC processor for an onboard satellite controller for an airborne platform.