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NASA Perseverance rover 200 MHZ CPU costs $200K
Listen, I know we're all complaining about the fact that CPUs and GPUs, components in general are expensive. But wait until you hear this one. NASA Perseverance rover uses a processor that runs at 200 MHz, and it did cost roughly $200K USD.
Obviously, it's a CPU that needs to be able to run in a somewhat stringent environment. But more details on it, have surfaced on the web. The technology of the on-board computer Rover Compute Element (RCE for short) is reduced for performance, far below that of normal desktop PCs.
The chip has a size of 130 mm 2 and a computing power of 240 to 366 MIPS, the processor requires five watts. It has 10.4 million transistors and is manufactured by BAE Systems using the 0.25-micrometer process. According to the manufacturer, the CPU, which costs around $ 200,000, is already in over 250 spacecraft. If the RCE fails, an identical backup system switches on in the Mars rover.
RAD750
The RAD750 processor works with clock rates from 110 to 200 MHz. In addition, the on-board computer has 256 MB of RAM, 2 GB of flash memory and a so-called warm electronics box to maintain a constant system temperature. However, it has a decisive advantage over other systems: robustness. The RCE withstands temperatures from -55 ° C to +125 ° C. In addition, the processor is not only extremely robust against extreme temperatures, but it also withstands radiation levels that would put conventional systems out of action. To put it into perspective: The RAD750 can withstand radiation of up to 10,000 Gray (Gy for short) - 6 Gy means death for humans.
NASA developers already fear that the system will crash in about 15 years due to external circumstances. In addition, the VxWorks operating system working in Perseverance would have to be supplied with new patches at some point. It remains to be seen how long the system will withstand the extremely difficult circumstances on Mars. A similar system of the Mars rover Curiosity has been running for almost ten years.
Kevin Mauro
Senior Member
Posts: 325
Joined: 2020-11-03
Senior Member
Posts: 325
Joined: 2020-11-03
#5891372 Posted on: 02/28/2021 11:02 AM
Every electronic on earth hit by a solar flare ...dead.... Mars rover be like "hihi that tickles!"
Well they kinda showed what they can do with unlimited budget ! I mean they went to the moon and back with hand knitted memory over half a century ago!
Right. True, I mean yes yes. It doesn't simply come down to money I should acknowledge that.
Say with the 200 MHZ processor I'm no expert but I'd imagine part of what has to do with it as opposed to something operating at a higher frequency is a larger circuit design to combat the bombardment of extreme radioactivity being reported. Someone pointed out SpaceX's processors in one of their rockets I think and I can't speak to that or how they're shielding them - perhaps the difference is also the implementation like the environment they plan to use them in (whereas the rover being on another planet & being exposed to harsher conditions etc) So... just thought I'd add this but far as your point I think with the lunar program it was seen as a part of that "space race" the government was heavily involved because it became highly politicized as an action against Russia for the US. Afterward, less so. This is unfortunate because for years many in NASA insisted on how important space exploration was. The other argument became we needed to use tax payer's dollars on other issues and were overspending when problems elsewhere (infrastructure etc) were going left unaddressed. My personal opinion is money is an elusive concept and in reality, it's a matter of how a country wants to utilize its resources as the two define different concepts in actuality. It's funny to me how many criticize Musk and Bezos for turning their eyes to the stars as it were and not doing anything for the people here and or not enough. Whether or not that's true isn't for me to decide; there are those born to criticize those born to contribute to the impoverished, those that become philanthropists, and then the titans of industry that want to take up Space exploration. I think unless someone or some people are actively seeking out & harming others I'm "live and let live".
Every electronic on earth hit by a solar flare ...dead.... Mars rover be like "hihi that tickles!"
Well they kinda showed what they can do with unlimited budget ! I mean they went to the moon and back with hand knitted memory over half a century ago!
Right. True, I mean yes yes. It doesn't simply come down to money I should acknowledge that.
Say with the 200 MHZ processor I'm no expert but I'd imagine part of what has to do with it as opposed to something operating at a higher frequency is a larger circuit design to combat the bombardment of extreme radioactivity being reported. Someone pointed out SpaceX's processors in one of their rockets I think and I can't speak to that or how they're shielding them - perhaps the difference is also the implementation like the environment they plan to use them in (whereas the rover being on another planet & being exposed to harsher conditions etc) So... just thought I'd add this but far as your point I think with the lunar program it was seen as a part of that "space race" the government was heavily involved because it became highly politicized as an action against Russia for the US. Afterward, less so. This is unfortunate because for years many in NASA insisted on how important space exploration was. The other argument became we needed to use tax payer's dollars on other issues and were overspending when problems elsewhere (infrastructure etc) were going left unaddressed. My personal opinion is money is an elusive concept and in reality, it's a matter of how a country wants to utilize its resources as the two define different concepts in actuality. It's funny to me how many criticize Musk and Bezos for turning their eyes to the stars as it were and not doing anything for the people here and or not enough. Whether or not that's true isn't for me to decide; there are those born to criticize those born to contribute to the impoverished, those that become philanthropists, and then the titans of industry that want to take up Space exploration. I think unless someone or some people are actively seeking out & harming others I'm "live and let live".
BLEH!
Senior Member
Posts: 6307
Joined: 2010-10-17
Senior Member
Posts: 6307
Joined: 2010-10-17
#5891627 Posted on: 03/01/2021 01:48 PM
They're also testing some ARM chips on that little helicopter, I believe, so be interesting to see how well that'll run.
They're also testing some ARM chips on that little helicopter, I believe, so be interesting to see how well that'll run.
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Senior Member
Posts: 217
Joined: 2021-01-21
It's not just reliability but also low weight and dimensions, contemporary desktop CPUs have huge dies just to begin with and need whole other motherboard circuitry to work. Weight and size of the things is huge problem for spaceflight.
However, they use regular lenovo computers on ISS. So it depends on application too.