Renesas space-grade reference design for AMD Versal AI Edge adaptive SoC

Developed in collaboration with AMD, the ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design integrates key space-grade components for power management. It targets the cost-effective AI Edge with both rad-hard & rad-tolerant plastic solutions specifically designed to support a wide range of power rails for next-generation space avionics systems that demand tight voltage tolerances, high current, and efficient power conversion.

The new ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design is fully qualified, enabling easy integration into satellite payload architectures. It includes a PMBus interface, giving users control of fault behaviours, protection levels and output regulation voltage. The new reference design also offers telemetry readouts of internal signals for system diagnostics. It is the industry’s only space-qualified power management system with a digital wrapper to optimise information transmission. The core power solution of this reference design is easily scalable with regard to output power, optimising customers’ investments in design and qualification over time.

As the number of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites increases, the need for lower-cost space-grade systems is growing rapidly. Customers traditionally concerned with minimising SWaP (Size, Weight and Power consumption) are now interested in reducing cost as well (SWaP-C). Renesas’ new ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design optimally addresses all of these factors. Space-grade plastic components decrease size, weight and cost while wide-bandgap GaN FETs enable the highest efficiency power conversion.

The new Versal AI Edge Adaptive SoC converts raw sensor data into useful information, making the XQRVE2302 ideal for anomaly and image detection applications. It has a nearly 75% smaller board area and power savings over the previous-generation XQRVC1902. It also integrates the enhanced AMD AI Engine (AIE) technology, known as AIE-ML, which has been optimised for machine learning (ML) applications. Unlike competitive offerings, it supports unlimited reprogramming. 

“We’re proud to team with AMD to deliver this advanced solution that addresses the most pressing concerns of space customers,” said Josh Broline, Sr. Director of Marketing and Applications of the HiRel Business Division at Renesas. “Along with our hallmark power management expertise, this reference design meets SWaP-C objectives, enables real-time system monitoring and control, and unlocks the power of AI.”

“The Versal AI Edge XQRVE2302 Adaptive SOC delivers unprecedented features and performance for the rapidly growing space market,” said Minal Sawant, senior director, Aerospace & Defence Vertical Market, AMD. “We’re pleased that Renesas offers advanced power management functionality that enables our customers to take full advantage of this solution.”

Renesas’ new ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design comes with power management devices that have been tested and verified to withstand exposure to high levels of radiation. These include Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controllers, GaN FET half-bridge drivers, point-of-load (POL) regulators, and power sequencers. The devices come in small-footprint packages, so the core power rail components take up just 67 square centimetres of board area.

Also, the ISLVERSALDEMO3Z mates seamlessly with the ISL71148VMREFEV1Z voltage monitor reference design with 14-bit resolution to accurately monitor all 11 core power rails of the Versal AI Edge Adaptive SOC. The high resolution enables reliable system health monitoring. It includes a “dual-footprint” to accommodate both space plastic and rad-hard hermetic solutions.