Intel Agilex FPGA-in-the-Loop Simulation: Enabling DSP Emulation for Space-BACN

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Space-Based Adaptive Communications Node (Space-BACN) program will provide communication in hard-to-reach areas by using a network of small low-Earth orbit satellites as relay stations to forward and amplify signals from ground-based radios, aircraft, and other communication systems, essentially acting as a space-based repeater system to extend the range of communication systems that would be limited by the curvature of the earth or interference from terrain. In the development phase, DARPA has selected Intel, with others, to design a reconfigurable optical modem that will support both current and new communication standards and protocols to enable interoperability among satellite constellations. Intel is developing its optical modem solution by bringing together experts from its field-programmable gate array (FPGA) product group, packaging technologists from its Assembly Test Technology Development (ATTD) division, and researchers from Intel Labs. Based on its leading-edge low-power Intel^® Agilex™ FPGA, Intel is designing new chiplets that will be integrated using Intel’s embedded multi-die interconnect bridge (EMIB) and advanced interface bus (AIB) packaging technologies, into a single multi-chip package (MCP). To ensure first silicon success, Intel is using FPGA-in-the-loop technologies in MATLAB^® and Simulink^®. This enables the verification of HDL implementations directly against algorithms in MATLAB or Simulink, the application of data and test scenarios from MATLAB or Simulink to the HDL design on the FPGA, and the integration of existing HDL code with models under development in MATLAB or Simulink. Once completed, Space-BACN will be used in the future for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and operations in denied areas. Communication barriers that have long hindered operations in difficult environments will be overcome, allowing for greater efficiency and connectivity.