Adaptive Fault-Tolerant Computer Capable of Error-Free Operation During Solar Flares

Fault-tolerant computer architecture delivers 1,800 MIPS performance and high upset immunity in severe solar flare environments.

Space missions requiring the highest upset rate immunity typically turn to rad-hard system designs. Unfortunately, these systems are many generations behind commercial performance, and their upset immunity is becoming less effective with the increasing number of storage elements in newer processors, such as processor cache memory. An adaptive fault-tolerant computer has been designed, built, and rad-tested using the latest, high-performance processors. The design integrates the most aggressive processor and memory error correction methods available. Potential applications for the computer include mission-critical single-board computers for spacecraft control and research missions requiring high data throughput and high computational performance without sacrificing reliability.