OUR EXPERTISE
Ruggedization Levels for Space Products
Aitech is the only COTS provider to continuously supply space-ready systems and boards that operate internally from -55°C to +85°C. We use our expert methodologies to ensure that our products can reliably withstand extreme temperature, shock, vibration in rugged environments. All levels of ruggedization are pin for pin compatible to allow for easy migration from one level to the next without any modification to the application software.
Space Level Products
Our radiation tolerant products are designed and manufactured specifically for space environments as summarized in the adjacent table. These products feature selected parts and materials with special conformal coatings and features to survive the widest range of environmental conditions. They also include latch-up protection/circumvention as well as single event upset detection and protection.
For legacy products, see the ruggedization table at the bottom of this page.
Three Fully Compatible Ruggedization Levels:
- Lab Grade
- Low-Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Geostationary-Earth Orbit (GEO+)
Wide Range of Applications, Including:
- Earth Observation Systems
- Communications
- Computation & Data
- Power & Engine Control
Click to Expand Ruggedization Table
Space Ruggedization Level Definitions
Lab Grade
Aitech’s Lab Grade circuit boards, intended for software and system development, utilize commercial grade components and an air-cooled chassis. These circuit boards are not form-fit compatible with their LEO or GEO+ counterparts. Lab Grade hardware is functionally compatible with flight hardware and is useful for system and mission software development. Aitech provides a set of Rear Transition Modules (RTMs) for multiple boards to access the I/O signals routed to P2 backplane connectors.
LEO
LEO hardware is form-fit-function compatible with GEO+ hardware. This hardware is intended for missions in most LEO orbital inclinations, for up to 3 years. Customers can select additional component reliability ranging from unscreened/unqualified or qualified, to Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 EEE per NASA INST-001 and 002. When applicable, radiation mitigation firmware can be included.
GEO+
Aitech’s GEO+ hardware is intended for missions in and beyond HEO, such as the Moon, Mars and deep space exploration. When applicable, GEO+ hardware can include radiation mitigation firmware. Customers can select component reliability ranging from unscreened/unqualified or qualified, to Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 EEE per NASA INST-001 and 002 or as applicable. Reliability analysis is performed per MIL-HDBK-217. Customers can use Aitech’s GEO+ hardware for long duration LEO missions, especially in orbital inclinations with high radiation dose rates.
EEE Part Selection
When selected by the customer, both the LEO and GEO+ hardware utilize NASA PEM-INST-001 or EEE-INST-002 as needed to screen the devices. Other EEE part reliability falls into one of the following categories:
- Standard parts as defined in Standard Military Drawing (SMD). The designator for the microcircuits is 5962- and parts are managed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) (https://landandmaritimeapps.dla.mil/programs/defaultapps.asp).
- High-quality commercial or military parts. These parts require up-screening and lot qualification to Level 2 per EEE-INST-002. High-quality commercial or military parts must be screened and qualified by manufacturers to DLA standards, because DLA standards do not always match EEE-INST-002 Level 2 requirements, the parts may require customer approval (typically through an NSPAR approval).
- High-quality parts qualified to NASA, ESA (European space agency) or JAXA (Japanese space agency) standards and previously approved by using NSPAR.
Aitech creates source control drawings to control part processing during manufacturing, as well as altered item drawings to control the re-balling, screening, lot qualification, and pre-production processes (such as lead forming, tin whisker mitigation, gold fritting mitigation, and tin lead soldering/plating). Additionally, Aitech can screen and qualify EEE parts for higher reliability, integrate high reliability hyperboloid backplane connectors for the backplane, and mating circuit boards. To read more about EEE part selection:
Radiation Tolerance
For the critical parts on GEO+ hardware, Aitech prioritizes selecting parts that are radiation tolerant and Single Event Effect (SEE) resistant when possible. These generally come with a Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) from the manufacturer. When a space qualified part is not available, Aitech (or another trusted party) will perform radiation tests and qualify parts for use in GEO+ systems and boards. In most cases, the critical EEE parts are resistant to damage at a minimum total ionizing induce dose of (TID) 100 krads or greater. Aitech proprietary software also provides levels of protection to vulnerable devices to enhance SEE performance resulting in smaller effective microcircuit cross-sections. Typical board latch up immunity exceeds 67 MeV-cm2/mg.
Legacy Products
Our legacy products are designed and manufactured to similar specifications based on slightly different criteria: laboratory, test flight, NEO/LEO and beyond LEO environments as summarized in the adjacent table.
