Radiation-Tolerant PolarFire® RTPF500ZT Achieves QML Class Q Qualification, Delivering Space-Grade Reliability and Power Efficiency

Microchip Technology’s Radiation-Tolerant (RT) PolarFire^® RTPF500ZT has now achieved both MIL-STD-883 Class B and QML Class Q qualification. This milestone marks a critical validation point for aerospace system designers who demand dependable, low-power, high-performance logic solutions for spaceborne applications.

Ready for Orbit: QML Qualification Supports Mission-Critical Deployment

The QML Class Q qualification, issued under the stringent MIL-STD-883B testing regime, certifies the RTPF500ZT for deployment in harsh space environments. As the baseline requirement for many space programs, this qualification means developers can confidently integrate the device into satellite platforms with full assurance of reliability, radiation tolerance and compliance with military-grade quality standards.

This achievement positions the RTPF500ZT as an ideal candidate for advanced data processing in space missions, with the next milestone—QML Class V qualification—already in progress and anticipated in the near future.

Why It Matters: Power, Performance and Radiation Resilience

Unlike traditional SRAM-based FPGAs, which require mitigation strategies to handle configuration upsets from radiation, the RT PolarFire family operates without such overhead. This architectural advantage results in lower engineering complexity, fewer components in the bill of materials and increased system reliability.

The RTPF500ZT further strengthens the RT PolarFire lineup by offering:

• Enhanced Single Event Latch-up (SEL) Radiation Performance: No latch-up up to 80 MeV·cm²/mg LET for 2.5V GPIOs at high temperature, enabling broader orbit and mission coverage
• Increased Programming Robustness: SPI-Initiator mode with inflight verification ensures reliable system controller programming during space operation

Built for the Big Picture: Superior Data Throughput With Low Power Draw

The RTPF500ZT balances logic and connectivity throughput with exceptional power efficiency. Supporting 12.7 Gbps transceivers, DSP blocks and embedded SRAM, this FPGA enables complex onboard processing such as smart imaging, sensor fusion and payload interfacing—all while minimizing thermal footprint.

Compared to SRAM-based FPGAs, RT PolarFire devices reduce power consumption by up to 50%, making them particularly advantageous for small satellite platforms and systems where thermal design margins are tight.

The Microchip Advantage: Trusted Heritage, Integrated Solutions

With over 60 years of spaceflight heritage, we deliver not only radiation-tolerant FPGAs but also a comprehensive ecosystem of complementary devices, including radiation-hardened LDOs, Ethernet PHYs, CAN interfaces and secure timing solutions. The RTPF500ZT FPGAs are supported by our Libero^® SoC Design Suite, simplifying development and reducing time to deployment.

Next Step: QML Class V

Microchip is actively pursuing QML Class V qualification—the highest assurance level for spaceflight microelectronics—which make the RTPF500ZT FPGA available in the most mission-critical applications, including deep space exploration and national security assets. Learn more about the RTPF500ZT as well as our vast array of radiation tolerant FPGAs.