GR765

The GR765 is the next generation radiation-hardened fault-tolerant octa-core microprocessor, introducing advanced features that redefine space processing potential. With support for virtualization, vector processing, Gigabit Ethernet with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and Time-Triggered support, PCIe  Gen 3, and SpaceFibre, the GR765 brings state-of-the-art capabilities to space missions in addition to existing legacy interfaces. Furthermore, it includes robust security features such as post-quantum cryptography and a hardware security module. An embedded FPGA further enhances the system's flexibility, allowing for custom hardware accelerators and adaptability to evolving mission requirements. The GR765 supports mission profiles ranging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Deep Space.

The GR765 offers a double processing architecture: a bootstrap signal selects between eight LEON5FT SPARC V8 and eight NOEL-V RV64 RISC-V processor cores enabling smooth transition from legacy SPARC systems to future RISC-V systems without changing hardware.

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• Processors performance: Up to 800 MHz, delivering 2600 DMIPS/core
• eFPGA: 30k LUTs
• Target technology: STM 28nm FDSOI
• TID immunity:
  • 50 krad(Si) (guaranteed by platform)
  • 100 krad(Si) (testing/screening to be performed)
• SEL: 78MeV*cm2/mg @125 °C
• Power supplies: Core: 1.0 V I/O: 1.2 V .. 3.3 V
• Qualification level: ESCC Generic Specification No. 9030
• Package: FF1924 (45x45 mm, 1 mm ball pitch)

We can provide FPGA prototypes of the GR765 design for various FPGA platforms. Contact us for more information.

Frontgrade will at product launch provide two development boards: one development kit that provides access to all interfaces of the GR765, and one GR765-MINI board as a lower cost evaluation board for software development.

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The GR765 is supported by the ecosystem provided by Frontgrade with toolchains for various open-source, commercial, and real-time operating systems, such as Linux, VxWorks, RTEMS, and Zephyr. The partner ecosystem is also being extended with the same level of support as exists for previous SoCs like the GR740, and with new partners.

The LEON5 SPARC mode allows reuse of the extensive LEON ecosystem software support, featuring a broad library of flight software and a dedicated timing-accurate simulator.

In RISC-V mode the GR765 can leverage the expanding RISC-V ecosystem providing a wide range of open-source tools,libraries, and community-driven developments.

In both modes, the flight-qualified GRBOOT bootloader ensures reliable initialization and configuration of the system,with Standby support.

Debug

GRMON is a debug monitor optimized for the GR765, providing a non-intrusive debug environment. The system can be monitored and controlled by the Graphical User Interface (GUI) with scripting support.  Furthermore, the RISC-V NOEL-V mode permits use of any debug solution supporting the RISC-V debug specification.

Timing-accurate simulator
TSIM-GR765 will provide a dedicated timing-accurate simulator for the LEON5 mode. TSIM-GR765 is currently under development.

Frontgrade will provide a reference board design for a flight Single Board Computer (SBC) based on the GR765 and a companion FPGA, with timing analysis for critical interfaces.

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Security

The GR765 includes an Isolated SoC that can be used for system control and security functions up to providing the whole system with security by acting as a Hardware Security Module (HSM). This isolated subsystem operates independently and communicates with software running on the main system through a mailbox interface. Key features enabled by the system include authenticated boot of Operating System and software assets,unique device identification, hardware-based root of trust, and comprehensive key management and operations. The Isolated SoC supports secure message signing and verification, utilizing both symmetric and asymmetric cryptography,including Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). The subsystem include accelerators for crypto applications and the functionality is controlled by firmware that is under control of the system integrator. Example software is provided with theGR765. Application-specific requirements will necessitate firmware changes,with the integrator having the option to develop their own solution or license third-party solutions with security certifications.

Furthermore, the GR765 features logic for quantum-secure authenticated boot, implemented without any software components. The core combines ECDSA and ML-DSAsignature schemes to verify the authenticity and integrity of binary images loaded into the system during the boot sequence,

The architecture includes additional security features such as functional and timing isolation through features in the on-chip interconnect, processor memory management units, and an IO bridge with an IO Memory Management Unit and IO Physical Memory Protection functionality.

In NOEL-V RISC-V mode, the architecture also has support for the RISC-V Control Flow Integrity extensions.

eFPGA

The GR765 includes a radiation-hardened embedded FPGA (eFPGA) with 32k LUTs . Directly interfacing with SpaceFibre and WizardLink communication interfaces, the eFPGA can optimize data decimation tasks and offer efficient in-hardware processing. The eFPGA is also well-suited for implementing glue logic to connect with custom external interfaces. Being radiation-hardened there is no need to apply Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) or scrubbing to the eFPGA designs. The GRLIB IP Library includes a collection of VHDL IP cores optimized for the eFPGA.

On-chip high-speed memory interconnect

The on-chip striped multiple memory busses between the processor cores and the L2 cache and between the L2 cache and the DDR memory controller allow concurrent accesses to different L2 cache memory banks and DDR memory. This feature increases the bandwidth and minimizes interference between cores. The system can be configured in an isolated mode that makes useof the dedicated communication channels to remove inter-core interference for memory accesses and simplifies worst-case execution time (WCET) analysis.

SpaceFibre and SpaceWire

The SpaceWire router is also integrated with the SpaceFibre controller. SpaceWire data from/to multiple payloads can be aggregated in a single SpaceFibre High Speed Serial Link without software intervention.

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