{"id":8247,"date":"2026-09-11T01:04:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T23:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scs.ch\/uncategorized-en-us\/pc-card-emulator-for-mass-memory-unit\/"},"modified":"2026-09-20T07:38:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T05:38:42","slug":"pc-card-emulator-for-mass-memory-unit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scs.ch\/en\/case-studies\/pc-card-emulator-for-mass-memory-unit\/","title":{"rendered":"PC Card Emulator for Mass Memory Unit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Background<\/h2><\/div>

On the International Space Station (ISS), a Mass Memory Unit (MMU) stores data using PC Card Flash memory. In orbit, the ISS is unprotected from cosmic radiation, which regularly triggers errors in the Flash memory. The MMU must reliably correct these errors. Therefore, before launch into space, it had to be demonstrated that the MMU reliably detects and corrects these memory errors.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Project Overview<\/h3><\/div>

Client<\/strong>
EADS <\/p>\n<\/div>

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Area<\/strong>
Data & High Performance<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Solution<\/strong>
FPGA Emulator for testing error correction in space.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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System Environment <\/strong>
\nMass Memory Unit (MMU) of the ISS, PC Card Flash Memory, PC Card Interface, PCI Card in PC<\/p>\n<\/div>

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ESA Technology Tree<\/strong>
\nAreas 8D-2 and 9C-2<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

SCS’s Contribution<\/h2><\/div>

SCS developed an emulator for EADS that specifically simulates the behavior of flash cards and radiation-induced error states, and records all processes in detail.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Error States Specifically Simulated<\/h4><\/div>
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An FPGA specifically simulates the behavior of memory cards and various error states. All processes are recorded in detail for subsequent analysis.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Timing Precisely Replicated<\/h4><\/div>
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The emulation had to correspond not only functionally but also temporally precisely to the behavior of the flash cards. For this purpose, SCS developed hardware close to the MMU with drivers and latch-up emulation, while the FPGA was operated on a PCI card in the PC.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Manufacturer-Specific Behavior Mapped<\/h4><\/div>
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The PC Card standard, which has evolved over years, is inconsistent and partly manufacturer-specific. The FPGA offered the necessary flexibility to precisely map these differences in the emulation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Tests Fully Controllable<\/h4><\/div>
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The user interface gives EADS full control over the PC Card interface. Extensive test procedures could also be automated via scripts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Result<\/h2><\/div>

With the PC Card Emulator, EADS was able to test the Mass Memory Unit in detail for memory errors and demonstrate its robustness against radiation-induced memory errors. The automated tests helped to meet the tight schedule and prepare the MMU for launch into space on time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Services Used<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

FPGA Engineering<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Electronic Hardware<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Data & High Performance<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"A<\/div><\/div>

Your Contact Person<\/h2><\/div>
David Gschwend<\/div><\/div>

High Performance Systems
\n+41 43 456 16 00<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

Speak with the responsible specialist<\/span>Speak with the responsible specialist<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div>

For questions regarding FPGA development, hardware test systems, and the precise simulation of technical interfaces.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

More Case Studies<\/h2><\/div>