Microchip reports radiation test results for PIC64-HPSC space processor

Microchip Technology has announced several programme milestones for its PIC64-HPSC High-Performance Spaceflight Computing Series, a 64-bit multicore RISC-V computing platform designed for spacecraft, satellites and other mission-critical space systems.

Early radiation characterisation of the PIC64-HPSC1000-RH radiation-hardened variant has demonstrated Total Ionizing Dose (TID) performance to 200 krad(Si) and successful Single Event Latch-up (SEL) testing to 78.2 MeV·cm²/mg under specified operating conditions, according to Microchip. The company also reports robust system-controller operation during Single Event Effects (SEE) characterisation, with no uncorrected errors or external resets required during the testing completed to date.

Microchip describes these as early results that provide developers with evidence of progress toward meeting radiation-tolerance requirements for systems intended to operate from low Earth orbit to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

"Our vision for PIC64-HPSC was to develop a modern, high-performance computing platform capable of enabling the next generation of civil, commercial, scientific and defense space systems," said Kevin So, vice president of Microchip's communications business unit. "The combination of operational silicon, radiation-characterization results and customer evaluation activity demonstrates continued execution against that vision and marks an important step in the maturation of the platform."

Early access and board support

Through the PIC64-HPSC Early Access Program, participating customers are evaluating silicon and development kits and beginning application development, with supporting software, tools, technical resources and direct engineering assistance from Microchip. A growing ecosystem of board partners is separately developing PIC64-HPSC-based VPX and VNX+ computing platforms, offering additional routes for system developers to integrate the processor.

Microchip states that initial silicon performance measurements are in line with programme objectives, providing a foundation for compute-intensive workloads including onboard autonomy, high-performance payload processing, Earth observation and intelligence, secure communications, spacecraft control, scientific exploration and edge AI. The company cites NASA's FY26 Civil Space Shortfall Prioritization, which ranked advanced onboard computing for space operations as the third-highest civil space technology shortfall, as context for the demand it is targeting.

Programme background

PIC64-HPSC originated from an assessment by NASA and JPL of future spaceflight computing requirements, with the HPSC contract awarded to Microchip in 2022. The programme has since formed the basis for Microchip's wider 64-bit PIC64 MPU portfolio, which the company has expanded to address performance requirements across other markets.

Evaluation and development kits for PIC64-HPSC are available to select customers, giving access to silicon, development platforms, software, tools and Microchip engineering support. Microchip has not disclosed a production or shipping timeline for the radiation-hardened PIC64-HPSC1000-RH device; the figures reported here relate to early characterisation testing rather than qualified, released parts.