Mobilint NPU Heads Into Space on Nuri; Orbital Demonstration to Begin
IT DAILY ·
✦ AI Summary
Mobilint said its AI semiconductor was loaded onto the BEE-1012 secondary payload satellite aboard Nuri's fifth launch on the 7th and headed into space.
BEE-1012 carries two NPU boards based on Mobilint AI semiconductor REGULUS, and Mobilint handled the semiconductor supply, the creation of mission-customized NPU boards for the satellite, and the integration of AI software.
The latest demonstration aims to verify the in-orbit normal operation of the NPU boards and AI model in a satellite environment with limited power and communications and to secure actual operational data.
Mobilint announced that its AI semiconductor was loaded onto the BEE-1012 secondary payload satellite aboard Nuri's fifth launch, which lifted off on the 7th, and headed into space. BEE-1012 is SpaceLintec's space-medicine demonstration satellite.
BEE-1012 carries two types of NPU boards based on Mobilint's AI semiconductor REGULUS. Mobilint handled the semiconductor supply, the creation of mission-customized NPU boards for the satellite, and the integration of AI software.
One of the boards was developed in collaboration with KAI and Funzin for satellite condition analysis. The board runs an AI model that analyzes satellite health data and handles anomaly detection and root-cause identification as its computing function.
The other board is for SpaceLintec and is designed for observing protein crystal growth and analyzing images. In addition, the satellite condition analysis board also supports the satellite's autonomous fault response and operational decision-making.
The latest payload marks the first real-world application of a domestically developed AI semiconductor in a satellite system. It also served as an opportunity to expand the use of AI semiconductors in the space sector.
The NPU board co-developed with SpaceLintec was designed for use in analyzing images of protein crystal growth captured in a microgravity environment. The NPU board has a function for determining crystal growth status, and the analysis results are intended to be used to adjust experimental conditions and select necessary data.
The board uses On-board AI, which directly analyzes data inside the satellite, as its core technology. This is meant to prioritize analysis inside the satellite in response to limited communication windows with ground stations, and to shorten the time needed to determine which data should be sent to the ground based on information screened onboard the satellite.
The goal of this demonstration is to verify the in-orbit normal operation of the NPU board in a satellite environment with limited power and communications, verify the in-orbit normal operation of the AI model, and secure actual operational data. The data secured will be used in the future to develop high-reliability edge AI products suited to the space environment and high-reliability edge AI systems suited to the space environment.
In this project, Mobilint supported NPU board design, manufacturing and testing, AI model integration, and communication stabilization with the satellite's internal control computer. Going forward, it plans to work with partners to confirm the onboard boards are operating normally during the satellite's initial operations, and to gradually verify in-orbit AI function tests and mission data processing results.
Shin Dong-ju, CEO of Mobilint, said that in space, not only sending data to the ground but also on-site analysis and decision-making capabilities are important. He also said that, starting with this payload, the company will push ahead with securing real operational data for domestic AI semiconductors and will also push ahead with advancing customer technologies for AI applications in space and in power- and communications-constrained environments.
Mobilint is participating in 4 tasks under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's "K-On-device AI Semiconductor Technology Development Project." It is also pushing ahead with the development of on-device AI semiconductor technologies for robots and home appliances together with LG Electronics, Doosan Robotics, and Daedong.
Source: IT DAILY · Kwon Young-seok
Original: https://www.itdaily.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=242087
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Source: IT DAILY
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