Evolution of the Systolic Processing Array -eXtensible (SPAR-X) Architecture for Advanced, Low Cost, Integrated Avionics

Missile defense systems must increase their target discrimination capabilities by using advanced seekers and seeker image processing. The objective of the proposed effort is to provide the advanced SPAR-X signal processing work already underway at Lockheed Martin – Sunnyvale to the THAAD next generation avionics development. In addition to THAAD, the MKV program is including scaled down SPAR-X on the Kill Vehicle Mission Processor. The developed system would also be directly applicable to the MKV Carrier Vehicle and other MDA/GMD missile defense systems with advanced strap down seekers. The goal of the proposed effort is to build on the work that has a great deal of functionality but is targeted at a generation of FPGAs that is much less capable than today’s offerings. The end result of the proposed effort is a baseline design that ports the Xilinx Virtex-2 based SPAR-X to a Xilinx Virtex-4 (and potentially Virtex-5 or SIRF) with an approach for a more capable, lower power, and highly integrated solution. This would allow a more producible next generation THAAD, MKV Kill Vehicle Mission Processor and provide for future growth in using the SPAR-X system on MKV Carrier Vehicle and other strap down seeker signal processing systems.