Microchip releases radiation-tolerant 32-bit SAMD21RT MCU

Space exploration is experiencing a resurgence with exciting new missions like the highly anticipated Artemis II mission, the recent successful lunar landing missions such as JAXA SLIM and Chandaaryan-3, and New Space deployments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Designers require electronic components that meet stringent radiation and reliability standards to operate in the harsh environments found in space. Microchip has announced the SAMD21RT, a radiation-tolerant (RT) Arm Cortex-M0+ based 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) in a 64-pin ceramic and plastic package with 128 KB Flash and 16 KB SRAM.

Designed for space-constrained applications where size and weight are of critical importance, the SAMD21RT is available in a small footprint of 10 mm × 10 mm. Running at up to 48 MHz, the SAMD21RT delivers high-performance processing for harsh environments. The device integrates analog functions including an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 20 channels, a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) and analog comparators.

The SAMD21RT device builds on Microchip’s existing family of SAMD21 MCUs, which is widely used in industrial and automotive markets. It is also based on Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices, which significantly simplifies the design process when transitioning to a radiation-tolerant device as the design remains pinout compatible. Microchip offers a comprehensive system solution for space applications with many devices that can be designed around the SAMD21RT MCU including FPGAs, power and discrete devices, memory products, communication interfaces and oscillators providing a broad range of options across qualification levels.

To withstand harsh environments including radiation and extreme temperatures, the SAMD21RT can operate in temperatures ranging from −40°C to 125°C and provides a high level of radiation tolerance with a Total Ionising Dose (TID) capability up to 50 krad and Single Event Latch-up (SEL) immunity up to 78 MeV.cm²/mg.

“The advantage of working with Microchip is that we have the history, knowledge and capability to do the design and testing in house for our radiation-tolerant and radiation-hardened devices,” said Bob Vampola, vice president of Microchip’s aerospace and defence business unit. “We continue to bring newer technologies like Ethernet, AI, and ML, which have evolved in the commercial and industrial markets, and improve them with radiation performance to meet the needs of space missions. We also continue to provide higher computing performance and integration of newer technologies into smaller packages, reducing weight and size.”

The low-power SAMD21RT features idle and standby sleep modes and sleepwalking peripherals. Other peripherals include a 12-channel Direct Memory Access Controller (DMAC), a 12-channel event system, various Timer/Counters for Control (TCC), a 32-bit Real Time Counter (RTC), a Watchdog Timer (WDT) and a USB 2.0 interface. Communication options include Serial Communication (SERCOM), I2C, SPI and LIN.

With tens of thousands of parts in orbit, Microchip has been a significant part of space exploration history and is critical to the missions of today and tomorrow. Its products are on the way to the moon as part of the Artemis program and are contributing to the success of the Space Launch System, Orion Spacecraft, Lunar Gateway, Lunar Lander and next-generation spacesuits.