Environmentally Adaptive Fault Tolerant Computing (EAFTC)

Abstract

1,2 The application of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) processing components in operational space missions with optimal performance and efficiency requires a system-level approach. Of primary concern is the need to handle the inherent susceptibility of COTS components to Single Event Upsets (SEUs). Honeywell in conjunction with Physical Sciences Incorporated, and WW Technology Group has developed a new paradigm for fault tolerant COTS based onboard computing. The paradigm is called "Environmentally Adaptive Fault Tolerant Computing" (EAFTC.) EAFTC combines a set of innovative technologies to enable efficient use of high performance COTS processors, in the harsh space environment, while maintaining the required system availability.