Integrated circuits (IC) are indispensable in aerospace design, with a fighter aircraft relying on upwards of 5,000 chips to function. But not all ICs are created equal. Here, Ross Turnbull, Director of Business Development and Product Engineering at aerospace ASIC specialist Swindon Silicon Systems, explores the advantages of custom chips in boosting performance, radiation tolerance and protection against obsolescence.

It’s difficult to imagine how modern aviation and space technology would function without the existence of ICs. Semiconductors enable safe and efficient aerospace operations by processing and amplifying the satellite signals needed to navigate an aircraft and communicate with air traffic controllers.

As aerospace systems increase in complexity, there is a heightened need for ICs that can offer the required standard of performance. For example, the UK government is investing £8 million into anti-spoofing technology to protect commercial and military aircraft from cyberattacks that send fake GPS signals to trick navigation systems into reporting an inaccurate position. This involves the testing of quantum sensing technologies, which compile data at the atomic level with the aim of detecting changes in motion.

Since quantum sensing systems require high-precision signal conditioning and ultra-fast control loops and feedback, standard ICs may not be able to provide sufficient performance. Meanwhile, harsh aerospace conditions also present challenges for off-the-shelf semiconductors, meaning application-specific ICs (ASICs) are often preferable.

So, what are some of the key benefits of opting for an ASIC in aerospace applications?

Improved performance

Many industries are now demanding high-performance chips and nowhere is this more apparent than within aerospace applications. Prolonged loss of communication between an aircraft and ground crew is treated as a potential security risk, since air traffic control cannot distinguish between signal failure and sinister intent.

Using an off-the-shelf part with slightly higher latency or lower throughput would not directly cause prolonged communication loss. If the part meets the system specification, it will perform reliably. But in aerospace, where systems often require tight real-time control and ultra-low latency, standard ICs may not always satisfy these stringent demands. In such cases, an ASIC is chosen not because standard parts fail, but because they cannot meet the specific performance requirements for the application.

An ASIC can be engineered from the outset to meet those exact requirements — for example, by optimising data throughput, reducing latency and eliminating unnecessary overhead. This ensures that the chip delivers the necessary speed and efficiency, especially in mission-critical systems where there is no margin for error.

Protection against obsolescence

Obsolescence poses a major challenge in aerospace. According to manufacturer Airbus, commercial aircraft can remain operational for 30 years or more but the electronic components they rely on may be discontinued within a fraction of that time.

When semiconductor manufacturers move towards more advanced technologies, sourcing replacement ICs for legacy systems grows in expense and difficulty. OEMs must verify that replacement chips are suitable for use within the application by ensuring any new suppliers can deliver ICs at the required quality level, which is especially important to ensure compliance with aerospace safety regulations.   

ASICs offer a proactive solution by providing long-term control over chip functionality, performance and supply continuity. Custom-designed for the application, ASICs allow manufacturers to benefit from extended product support through the component’s lifetime.

Radiation resistance

Although aeroplanes do not leave the Earth’s atmosphere, there will soon be a greater need for ICs that can withstand the harsh conditions of space. According to the World Economic Forum, the space economy is predicted to grow at an average of nine per cent per year until 2035, with increasing investment from private space players such as Space X and Blue Origin.

While the space boom opens a range of opportunities for the industry, it also presents a challenge for the design of ICs that power spacecrafts’ communication and navigation systems.

Spacecraft and satellites that orbit far beyond the Earth’s atmosphere are exposed to high levels of radiation, which can damage the chips used within these applications. While many space ICs in use today are radiation tolerant, choosing an ASIC allows for the option of radiation hardening to further protect the chip.

Radiation-hardened electronics are specifically designed to withstand the damaging effects of ionising radiation, including single-event upsets and total ionising dose, which can cause data corruption or degrade chip performance over time.

Breakthroughs in aerospace are occurring rapidly, but the electronics that power aircraft and rockets must keep pace. ASICs offer a customised option that ensures that these vehicles remain efficient, reliable and secure for decades to come.

Wondering if a custom IC would benefit your aerospace application? Get in touch with our team of ASIC specialists.