Novel approach to fault tolerance in space computers leveraging the RISC-V architecture

Abstract

As the aerospace industry continues to accelerate in growth and mission frequency, the demand for high-performance computers that can withstand radiation environments has become a critical need within the field. Traditional space computing systems rely on specialized and complex means of radiation resistance, but more modern systems seek to implement redundant components to mitigate radiation effects. This dissertation presents a novel approach to radiation-tolerant space computing, based on Montana State University's RadPC program, by developing a resilient architecture leveraging the open-source RISC- V processor. The architecture discussed is designed to withstand radiation environments and engage repairs for damaged sections using commercial, off-the-shelf components - without requiring radiation-hardened fabrication processes or specialized manufacturing. This dissertation discusses the design and performance of the components required to ensure radiation resilience in the system, reconfigure compromised processors in the event of damage, and provides a characterization of the system's overall performance in various space environments.