In-flight reconfigurable FPGA-based space systems

This paper gives an overview of in-flight reconfigurable FPGA-based space systems. Firstly, an introduction is presented regarding issues of FPGAs in space systems such as: types of FPGAs being used, the increasing use of FPGAs to the detriment of non-programmable devices, the project phases in which FPGAs are being used, the types of FPGA reconfiguration being considered, and the applications of in-flight reconfiguration of FPGAs. Secondly, this paper introduces the architecture of in-flight reconfigurable FPGA-based space systems platforms and a prospective self-repairing multi-FPGA system that uses in-flight reconfiguration for failure recovery. Thirdly, the essentials of the reconfigurable systems of two European space missions to be launched in the near future are explained here, focusing on their in-flight reconfiguration capability.