Innoflight Middleware System (IMS)

MDA has a need for adaptive imaging for space and exo-atmospheric applications. DARPA is developing adaptive imaging technologies through its ReImagine program, including the ReImagine ROIC (Readout Integrated Circuit), which provides reprogrammability and reconfigurability not available with traditional ROICs. However, the ReImagine ROIC was designed for non-space-domain applications. For these anticipated MDA space and exo-atmospheric applications, to reduce latency and downlink demands for large data sets, complex computing algorithms will be performed on-orbit. To meet the processing demands of these algorithms and data sets the anticipated processing hardware will need to leverage the latest CPU/GPU commercial hardware, versus traditional, lower processing performance, higher Size, Weight and Power (SWaP), radiation-hardened on-board computers (OBCs). Subsequently, the overall Pegasus sensor prototype: large format focal plane array (FPA), ReImagine ROIC and processing hardware/algorithms will require radiation tolerance for space and exo-atmospheric applications. In addition to system and hardware fault tolerance design practices, software techniques are desired to provide enhanced radiation mitigation for both the processing hardware and ReImagine ROIC: these software techniques will leverage work developed under the Innoflight Middleware System (IMS) SBIR Phase I. Lastly, given the likelihood of uploading new algorithms, look-up tables (LUTs), firmware and software; the increased potential for cyber vulnerabilities with the uploads and on-orbit reprogramming; and other growing cyber threats to space systems, this effort will leverage the IMS CyberDog™ cybersecurity suite to develop cyber-resiliency in the Pegasus sensor prototype. Approved for Public Release | 20-MDA-10601 (19 Oct 20)