AMD/Xilinx XQRKU060: On-Orbit Reconfiguration and Procurement Guide for 20nm Space-Grade FPGA

XQRKU060 Introduction and Release Date

Xilinx (now a subsidiary of AMD) has launched the XQRKU060, a 20nm-class space-grade/radiation-tolerant reconfigurable FPGA. It is being hailed by the industry as the "first 20nm space-grade reprogrammable FPGA." Official and industry media reports highlight its support for in-orbit reprogramming, highlighting its flexible on-orbit upgrade capabilities for satellites and spacecraft.

XQRKU060 Market Adoption and Sales

Since the release of the XQRKU060, several aerospace and defense system integrators have viewed it as a viable alternative to custom ASICs or earlier-generation, rad-hard FPGAs. Public reports and manufacturer data indicate that the series has been incorporated into spacecraft, commercial satellites, and research programs. Its on-orbit reprogrammability increases the design flexibility for low-Earth and geostationary satellite missions. Specific sales figures are typically confidential to manufacturers or customers, but the number of industry adoption cases and solution collaborations has increased significantly, reflecting growing market acceptance.

XQRKU060 Main Application Areas (Aerospace/Satellite)

 • Mission payload processing and online reconfiguration for commercial satellites (the XQRKU060 can update logic on-orbit).

 • Real-time signal processing, accelerators, and digital front-end (DFE) processing units for radar and communication payloads.

 • Spacecraft ground verification platforms and reconfigurable test equipment.

Comparison of the XQRKU060 Series with Other Popular FPGA Products

 •XQRKU060 Advantages: 20nm radiation-tolerant (RT) process, support for on-orbit reconfiguration, and high logic/DSP integration.

 • Popular Comparisons: More traditional rad-hard FPGAs (such as older generation Xilinx Virtex XQR/RT devices, Microchip/Actel's rad-hard series), and the recently launched AMD Versal XQR series (a higher-performance/AI-friendly space version).

Performance vs. Legacy (Highlights)

 • In-Orbit Reprogrammability: The XQRKU060 supports mid-orbit reconfiguration, allowing satellites to load new features or fix design flaws while in orbit, significantly reducing rework costs and extending mission life.

• Computing and Integration: Compared to older rad-hard FPGAs, the XQRKU060 offers superior DSP performance, logic unit density, and I/O bandwidth, enabling more complex ML inference and signal processing tasks.

Kingrole's Services and Value

As a trader, Kingrole believes that the XQRKU060 provides "on-orbit upgradeability" technology for space projects, enabling more flexible system design and lower lifecycle costs. Kingrole can help customers: procure genuine XQRKU060 (including original packaging and space-grade test reports), arrange compliant export control documents, and provide pricing leverage for small-batch samples and mass delivery, ensuring system integrators receive the best price for genuine product during both the R&D and mass production phases.

Competitive Comparison and Procurement Recommendations Summary

 •If the core project requirement is "on-orbit reconfigurability" and requires high DSP/logic density, the XQRKU060 is the preferred choice.

 •If higher AI acceleration/bandwidth is required, AMD's Versal XQR series can be considered, but the cost and integration complexity will be higher.