|
Technology Infusion of SPACE into JPL projects
|
|
Point of Contact
|
Jane Oh
jane.oh@jpl.nasa.gov
|
|
Dates
|
June 2008 - October 2008
|
|
Problem
|
Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are being used in an increasing number of applications on the current generation of JPL spacecraft. Additionally, the new generation of complex FPGAs with embedded processors, memories, and DSP (Digital Signal Processing) blocks may take up to 10x longer to verify than the simpler FPGAs used on previous missions. This combination has the potential to increase the cost of FPGA development, as well as introducing schedule risk and technical risk for today?s missions.
Currently, no well defined method is being used to assure the quality of FPGAs. This technology infusion proposal is to investigate whether the results of the SPACE (Software Process Assurance for Complex Electronics) research initiative will provide a defined method for assuring the quality of FPGAs by applying control and measurement of the quality of a FPGA during all phases of its development cycle.
|
|
Objective
|
The objective of this proposal is to improve the quality of mission-critical complex electronics and the effectiveness of JPL?s FPGA development processes by improving their ability to detect and remove errors and defects early in the life cycle.
The infusion of SPACE into the MSL avionics subsystem FPGA development effort will proceed as follows:
? Training: We will train Quality Assurance personnel on SPACE (Software Process Assurance for Complex Electronics) techniques.
? Application: We will apply current SPACE techniques to verify and validate those designs of FPGAs planned for use by MSL.
? Assessment: We will analyze current SPACE techniques to measure their effectiveness (e.g., the measures of the number of defects detected during our inspections, as well as the time spent to fix the designs).
? Evaluation: We will determine where and how to evolve those techniques accordingly and where we need new techniques.
? Tailoring: We will tailor current SPACE techniques to help project leads and key personnel reduce the unique challenges of using complex electronic devices at JPL.
|
|
Results
|
No results are available at this time. Please check back again.
|
|
Keywords
|
field, programmable, gate, array, processor, avionics, quality, assurance
|
|
Categories
|
Quality Assurance
|
|
