SENSORS
WHY CHOOSE AN ASIC FOR AEROSPACE
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t is 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.
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.
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.
Summer 2025 UKManufacturing
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