Atomic Switch FPGA: Application for IoT Sensing Systems in Space

This chapter introduces the applications of atomic switches, which are expected to be used for sensor systems in space. Artificial satellites are regarded as the sensor nodes and communication relay nodes of Internet of Things (IoT). Processor elements using atomic switch field programmable gate array (FPGA) are anticipated as essential element for building embedded system applications for the IoT. We start by looking at the role played by embedded system processors first and point out that leaving from stored program architecture is inevitable and essential to achieve processing speed and low power consumption required for embedded system applications. Space-born sensor application is referred in this chapter as an example of embedded system applications because space systems are somewhat specialized but in many ways typical embedded applications intended to be used for IoT applications which require dependability as an essential feature. We also introduce Generic Processor element (GPE) architecture to exploit atomic switches. GPE architecture is based on the embedded automaton realized with the contribution of high-level behavioral synthesis technology. Practical application implementation on the reconfigurable processor is realized using the matured tool of high-level behavioral synthesis technology.