Space challenges and cutting-edge solutions at HiPEAC and DASIP 2024

​From January 17-19, 2024, the city of Munich, Germany, witnessed the HiPEAC conference, one of Europe's leading forums for experts in computer architecture, programming models, compilers and operating systems for general purpose, embedded and cyber-physical systems, as well as adding the field of neuromorphic computing. As part of HiPEAC, the 17th edition of the workshop on Design and Architectures for Signal and Image Processing (DASIP 2024) was held. This event provided an outstanding forum for sharing the latest trends, innovations and developments in the leading field of signal, image and video processing, as well as for machine learning in embedded custom architectures and systems, Edge and cloud computing.

Throughout the three-day event participants were immersed in various papers and speeches covering three main thematic blocks: "Custom Embedded, Edge and Cloud Architectures and Systems", "Design Methods and Tools", and "Development Platforms, Architectures, and Technologies".

David González Arjona, head of GMV's Space Equipment Section, was the key speaker at this year's conference, opening with the lecture "Orbiting the Edge and Stars: Bridging the Gap Between Space Avionics and Edge Computing, Challenges, and Space Missions Needs". During his talk González Arjona explored the challenges and opportunities of high-performance processing in space missions, where both algorithmic and reliability-oriented architectural designs and technology specific to the space environment play a crucial role. The talk presented how GMV is tackling these challenges, with concrete examples of participation in different types of space missions.

The talk addressed the gap between space avionics and the realities of edge computing, illustrating how space challenges such as radiation, temperature, vacuum, vibration and criticality are connected with those faced by other advanced computing industries. Gonzalez Arjona highlighted the importance of edge computing in space missions, where communications to the ground can be costly, discontinuous or limited in bandwidth, and response time must be minimized.

HiPEAC and DASIP continue to be an outstanding meeting point where advanced technologies converge, serving as a guide in exploring the challenges of computing in extreme environments.