Description
The objective of this activity is to design, develop and perform an in-orbit experiment of high-performance data transport, switching and processing technologies consisting of several key building blocks like processors, mass memory, switches and optical interconnects, allowing a data throughput of up to 10 Terabit per second to enable future high performance telecommunication applications. Targeted Improvements: Improvement by a factor of two in data processing throughput compared with the current state-of-the-art. Description: Upcoming regenerative telecommunication processors will require significant improvement in data transport, switching and processing capabilities, which cannot be achieved with solutions in use or planned today. To achieve a data throughput of up to 10 Terabit per second, state-of-the-art components developed for terrestrial applications need to be evaluated in the space environment to identify suitable technologies. Very high throughput requirements are already discussed today in the frame of optical-interconnect-based constellations. The building blocks for such a high-performance data processing system are MPSoCs, GPUs, switches, memories, and optical interconnection technology. The high-performance data processing system in-orbit experiment will provide test results and performance metrics that cannot be obtained by ground analysis and test. The current process of parts selection based on worst case analysis excludes the use of many parts that will be enablers for future advanced telecommunication applications. For example, experience with high performance FPGAs gained by accelerated radiation testing on the ground has shown that device susceptibility is significantly lower than predicted by worst case analysis. The activity will comprise the design and manufacturing of a suitable experimental payload capable of performing representative data processing functions in orbit. The payload will be hosted on an orbital platform and operated for at least one year. This activity will produce a representative dataset of real-environment performance needed for design and component selection purposes, with the target of achieving up to 10 Terabit per second data throughput. Information gained from this experiment will identify critical radiation-induced shortcomings of the selected technologies in real world conditions and allow appropriate mitigation methods to be defined for reliable operation in commercial applications. Sensitivities which might occur in accelerated on-ground testing but not in the in-orbit environment will be identified and studied in order to confirm that no mitigation actions are necessary, i.e. enabling the use of a wide range of high performance technologies in low Earth orbit applications. The flight unit will comprise several independent hardware modules, allowing contributions from different interested parties and encompassing the required technologies. Preference will be given to competitive European technologies. Footnote: On Delegation Request activities will only be initiated on the explicit request of at least one National Delegation.