Designing space systems with integrated Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) strategies - with Texas Instruments

Episode 81 of The Space Industry podcast by satsearch is a conversation with Adrian Helwig, Analog Field Application Engineer, and Michael Seidl, Systems Engineer from Texas Instruments (TI), about designing space systems with integrated Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) strategies.

TI is a global electronics manufacturer with a wide portfolio of space-grade components to support space missions across the spectrum.

In the episode, Adrian, Michael and satsearch COO Narayan Prasad Nagendra discuss:

• FDIR as a complex, critical sequence in space system design: Since equipment in space cannot be manually repaired, systems must quickly and reliably detect faults, isolate the damaged unit (e.g., by switching it off), and recover mission operations, often by engaging a redundant unit.
• Trade-off between reliability, performance, and cost: Engineers face this trade-off particularly when selecting components that must withstand extreme environments (radiation, temperature cycles) and long missions (LEO vs. GEO/Deep Space). Using non-space-grade parts introduces significant risk and defeats the purpose of FDIR.
• Effective fault containment based on integrated, smart strategies: Strategies that avoid complexity, using methods like galvanic isolation, fast load switches, and highly-integrated space-grade components that incorporate diagnostics and can execute complex decision-making based on multiple sensor inputs (voltage, current, temperature) prevent fault propagation.

You can find out more about TI on their satsearch supplier hub. And if you would like to learn more about the space industry and our work at satsearch building the global space supply chain, please take a look at our blog.

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