Microchip PIC64-Based AI Supercomputing for Space

Next-generation AI-capable OBC based on Microchip PIC64 technology, designed to deliver supercomputer-class performance per watt while maintaining the robustness required for space environments. Today’s AI-enabled satellites typically rely on one of the following approaches:

Traditional Space OBCs with CPUs
FPGA-Centric AI Acceleration
COTS AI Modules (GPU-Based)
Emerging RISC-V AI-Optimized SoCs (PIC64)

Each approach has strengths and limitations.

Microchip PIC64 is a 64-bit RISC-V–based multicore processor platform, designed with:

High compute density
Strong determinism and safety features
Scalability for heterogeneous computing
A pathway toward AI acceleration with significantly lower power overhead than GPU-centric systems

For CAVU, PIC64 enables the creation of an AI-capable OBC, rather than a payload add-on computer, allowing AI workloads to be deeply integrated into spacecraft operations.

Comparison: PIC64 vs Other AI Computers

PIC64 vs Traditional Space OBCs (CPU-Only)

Aspect	Traditional OBC	PIC64-Based OBC
Architecture	Single / multicore CPU	Multicore 64-bit RISC-V
AI Capability	Very limited	Native AI-ready compute
Parallel Processing	Low	High
Autonomy Support	Rule-based	AI-driven
Performance per Watt	Low–moderate	High

Key Difference:
Traditional OBCs can host AI experiments; PIC64 enables AI as a core spacecraft function.

PIC64 vs FPGA-Centric AI Solutions

Aspect	FPGA AI	PIC64 AI OBC
Flexibility	High (hardware-defined)	High (software-defined)
Development Complexity	Very high	Moderate
AI Model Portability	Limited	Strong
Runtime Adaptability	Low	High
Software Ecosystem	Narrow	Expanding RISC-V ecosystem

Key Difference:
FPGA-based AI excels in fixed pipelines, while PIC64 supports evolving AI models and software-driven missions, reducing development and operational risk.

PIC64 vs GPU-Based AI Computers (e.g. COTS Modules)

Aspect	GPU-Based AI	PIC64-Based AI
Compute Density	Very high	High
Power Consumption	High	Low–moderate
Thermal Load	High	Manageable
Radiation Strategy	Shielding / mitigation	Architecture-level resilience
Space Integration	Payload-like	OBC-native

Key Difference:
GPU systems deliver brute-force AI performance but at significant power, thermal, and system complexity cost.
PIC64 offers a more balanced, space-optimized AI computing approach.

Why PIC64 Enables an “AI Supercomputer” OBC

Unlike bolt-on AI payload computers, a PIC64-based OBC allows:

AI at the Spacecraft Core

AI participates in:
- Mission planning
- Data prioritization
- Fault detection
- Autonomous operations
Not just payload processing

Exceptional Performance per Watt

Designed for efficiency rather than peak GPU throughput
Enables AI on power-constrained platforms (CubeSats to smallsats)

Software-Defined Intelligence

RISC-V ecosystem
Portable AI frameworks
Long-term maintainability and mission upgrades

Scalable Architecture

Single-satellite missions
Constellations with distributed intelligence
Cooperative and collaborative AI in orbit

PIC64 vs Other AI Computers — Summary Table

Capability	Traditional OBC	FPGA AI	GPU AI	PIC64 AI OBC
AI Readiness	❌	⚠️	✅	✅
Power Efficiency	✅	✅	❌	✅
Software Flexibility	⚠️	❌	✅	✅
Space Integration	✅	⚠️	❌	✅
Autonomy Enablement	❌	⚠️	⚠️	✅

Target Missions for PIC64-Based OBCs

CAVU’s PIC64-based AI OBC is particularly well suited for:

Earth observation with onboard analytics
Change detection and monitoring
RF signal classification
Autonomous spacecraft operations
Smart constellations
AI-first commercial missions
In-orbit AI validation and experimentation

The transition from traditional OBCs to AI-enabled spacecraft demands a new class of computing architecture. While GPUs and FPGA accelerators have demonstrated AI feasibility in orbit, they introduce significant system-level challenges.

OBC-64 represents a balanced, space-optimized AI supercomputer, combining:

High performance per watt
Software-defined flexibility
Native spacecraft integration
A scalable path toward autonomous missions

This platform bridges the gap between mission-critical OBCs and AI payload computers, enabling satellites that do not just collect data — but understand and act on it in orbit.