Intel readies 18A Starfire chips for space computing

Intel has published documentation for Starfire, a new processor generation built on its 18A node for space operations. The lineup includes two SKUs for orbital computing, each with four P-Cores and four LPE-Cores in an eight-core SoC. The Low Power edition runs its P-Cores at 1.0 GHz and its LPE-Cores at 850 MHz, while the Performance version raises P-Cores to 3.1 GHz and LPE-Cores to 2.1 GHz.

Both models use a GPU tile on Intel 3 with 4 Xe cores and 64 EUs. The Low Power SKU runs the Xe cores between 800 MHz and 1.0 GHz, while the Performance SKU reaches 2.0 GHz. Power targets are 10 W TDP for Low Power and 35 W TDP for Performance.

Each processor also includes an NPU rated at 45 TOPS on Low Power and up to 75 TOPS on Performance using INT8 precision. Starfire is designed for a T-Junction range from -55°C to 125°C and carries TID, SEL and SEE radiation hardening certifications. Intel is targeting samples this quarter, Q3.