SENSORS
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.
Swindon Silicon Systems
www.swindonsilicon.com
UKManufacturing Summer 2025 37
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