Case Study
Estimating ASICs for Space Applications Using SEER for Hardware, Electronics & Systems
Robert Cisneros - Technical Expert, Tecolote Research Incorporated
Today's Military Communication systems are playing an ever expanding critical role in our domestic security as well as the security of our assets abroad. Satellites that are the core of these comm systems are being required to do more complex functions and perform them faster than ever before. To accomplish complex on orbit tasks, modern space electronics are using advanced micro-electronics in their unit designs.
The rapidly changing field of advanced micro-electronics, largely developed by commercial industry, presents a problem for the cost estimator. Common cost estimating techniques using historical data or cost estimating relationships based on historical data are not well suited to address the complexity of today's electronic devices.
This presentation will focus on ASIC devices used in the military space environment and will discuss the cost drivers of these devices, describe how the SEER-IC parametric cost estimating tool is being used to develop a cost estimate for ASICs, and the what future estimating challenges may be on military space communication satellites.
