Xiphos Systems Corporation (“Xiphos”) is announcing the Q8J, its latest generation of space processor boards, designed specifically to support advanced Software Defined Radio (SDR) applications.
The Q8J extends the capability of the popular Xiphos Q8 processor, adding a suite of multi- Gigabit per second transceivers to support JESD204B interfaces, as well as access to external DDR3 or DDR4 memory. The Q8J can interface with the latest generation of wideband RF transceiver devices, enabling state-of-the-art SDRs for satellite broadband, Internet of Things (IoT) and inter-satellite mesh communications, as well as next generation RF-sensing applications.
The Q8J is an extremely high-performance space processor board based on the Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ Multi-Processor System on a Chip (MPSoC). It retains Xiphos’ flight-proven radiation effects mitigation features and small form factor, low mass, and power consumption of its predecessors, but provides an unprecedented level of performance. This at even higher MIPS/watt compared to Xiphos’ previous products. The Q8J sets the new standard for space processors.
Francesco Ricci, Xiphos’ Chief Engineer, says that “The Q8J’s hybrid combination Gigahertz multi- core processors, massive programmable logic resources, and wide array of high-speed and JESD204B-compatible interfaces, provides an extremely high performance, low SWaP and flexible platform enabling SDR applications not previously possible on CubeSats, nanosats or smallsats.”
Xiphos is developing custom SDR daughterboards that will be used in conjunction with the Q8J for multiple customers across a variety of communications applications. These designs can be adapted for rapid turnaround. Engineering Models of the Q8J will be available early Q4 2020.
About Xiphos Systems Corporation
The company provides unique powerful processing solutions for space and unmanned vehicles, with products flying in space for over 18 years on >35 LEO missions. Xiphos’ SWaP-optimized products use industrial-grade components in a fault-tolerant architecture for deployment in harsh environments, providing robust performance costing a fraction of traditional space-grade solutions. Xiphos continues to push the envelope in what can be achieved in today’s nanosats and smallsats.
