Alpha Data has launched a development kit for adaptable processors to support the transition from custom hardware to modular hardware in space. The kit includes a fully radiation-tolerant reference design in a deployable VPX format, and the core board of the kit will also be available in a deployable spaceflight version, according to the company.
The ADK-VA601 is a system-on-module (SoM) that is capable of on-board processing (OBP) and on-orbit reconfiguration. It is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2024. The module was designed in collaboration with AMD, Texas Instruments, EPC Space, and Teledyne e2v.
Alpha stated that the ADK-VA601 is an extension of the ADK-VA600, which was launched earlier this year and introduced the AMD XQR Versal AI Core VC1902 Adaptive System-on-Chip to the Space community. The ADK-VA601 offers a fully radiation-tolerant reference design in a 220mm 6U Space VPX format.
The ADK-VA601 is powered by the AMD Versal Adaptive SoC and a 160A power supply from Texas Instruments and EPC Space. DDR4 memory is provided by Teledyne e2v. The front panel features a VITA 57.4 FMC+ interface for expansion, and there is a VPX rear transition module for IO.