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Completed TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
This project proposes to update the cFS Operating System Abstraction Layer (OSAL) to add SMP capabilities for use with each of the operating systems supported by cFS: Linux, RTEMS, and VxWorks. While cFS was originally created for single-core systems, there’s growing interest in multi-core usage and NASA has started to utilize multi-core processors for its space missions such as the GR712 (2 cores) used in Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem’s (PACE) Modular Unified Space Technology Avionics for Next Generation (MUSTANG), the GR740 (4 cores) used in Roman Space Telescope (RST), and coming in the future, NASA’s High Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) (8 cores).
NASA requires multi-core processors for their space missions due to the need of high-performance computing capabilities that can handle complex calculations and tasks efficiently. Multi-core processors offer significant advantages over single-core processors, particularly in terms of processing speed and ability to truly perform multiple tasks in parallel. This is crucial for NASA’s operations, which often involve processing large amounts of data from spacecraft sensors, supporting advanced navigation and control systems, and running simulations.
Multi-core processors offer significant advantages over single-core processors, particularly in terms of processing speed and ability to truly perform multiple tasks in parallel. This is crucial for NASA’s operations, which often involve processing large amounts of data from spacecraft sensors, supporting advanced navigation and control systems, and running simulations.
Generic SMP support is crucial for future missions:
Time and Cost Savings: By incorporating generic SMP support directly into cFS, future missions won’t need extensive modifications to be able to utilize the other cores of a multi-core processor. This saves development time and reduces costs.
Scalability: As more missions adopt multi-core architectures, a generic SMP solution ensures seamless integration.
Maintainability: A standardized SMP approach simplifies software maintenance and updates across various missions.
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