phixos

In the stringent aerospace and defence domain, developing high-integrity applications is indispensable. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have notably outshone microprocessors in addressing the sector’s stringent requisites, demonstrating superior prowess in real-time processing, safety, security, and scalability.

Among a select few players with expertise in FPGA technology, phixos shines for its capacity to furnish the high-level support that clients in these tightly regulated sectors necessitate.

Having carved its niche in the civilian marketplace, notably within the rail and aerospace sectors, phixos boasts over five decades of cumulative experience adhering to high-integrity standards. Its leadership has cultivated a robust reservoir of expertise. This knowledge, continually enriched, transitioned into the defence sector as the last decade saw a migration of traditionally civilian-based high-integrity standards into the defence realm.

“We are acutely aware of the dynamic environment within the industry, where projects continually evolve to address emerging challenges, threats, and client demands. We attend to every detail, refining requirements, design, and development processes with heightened rigour to assure the software’s correct operation and reliability,” says Richard Rollins, Director of Business Strategy, Innovation and Development.

Navigating the inherent volatility of projects also requires a clear-eyed understanding from the outset, a principle phixos holds in high regard.

The firm engages in close collaboration with clients to foster adaptability, focused on delivering value throughout the project’s lifecycle. This approach encapsulates a blend of thorough management, oversight, and monitoring while nurturing a strong relationship with the client. This dual focus ensures not only the project’s technical success but fosters a collaborative environment conducive to addressing the unpredictable challenges that may arise.

Needless to say, phixos’ familiarity with industry standards is crucial in this endeavour. For instance, in aerospace, standards such as DO-178 for software or DO-254 for hardware are pivotal, while in space, the guidelines set forth by the European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS) hold sway. Beyond these, more generic standards like IEC 61508 serve as guiding posts. All these standards delineate objectives that must be met to demonstrate the software or firmware solution is safe for deployment.

A perfect example of Phixos’ expertise comes to light in the safety domain, particularly in projects involving software that governs aircraft engines. In these critical applications, a software failure translates to a system failure—here, the aircraft engine. Should the engine fail, the precipice of catastrophic aircraft failure looms large. Therefore, the measures employed to ascertain the reliability and high integrity of the software and firmware are exceptionally robust. phixos’ mastery of compliance, standards, and methodologies ensures fail-proof execution in this regard.

Another noteworthy project illustrates phixos’ ability to turn innovative ideas into certified products. The company was responsible for creating the entire control system for an electric motor used in aircraft pushback, encompassing both software and firmware. It partnered with the motor manufacturer to provide certified software and firmware that complies with specific aviation standards, DO-178 and DO-254, mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. Currently in development, this product is on track for potential introduction to the market by 2024 or early 2025, with phixos playing a pivotal role in its journey from concept to certification.

The company also excels in the space sector, an area experiencing substantial growth. In collaboration with a major satellite manufacturer in the U.K., phixos is involved in a project related to a geosynchronous satellite scheduled for launch in 2025.

For this satellite, it is developing multiple FPGA solutions. These FPGAs function like specialised computer chips, each performing specific tasks within the satellite. The company is not only designing these chips but ensuring their seamless integration, preventing performance issues in the satellite. Moreover, since satellites operate in space, where radiation from cosmic rays poses a higher risk, phixos applies its extensive know-how to make these FPGAs radiation-tolerant to operate flawlessly in space.

A small company with a team of around 40 people, phixos is constantly pushing its boundaries by working directly with industry giants in the civilian marketplace and many of the UK’s leading defence companies.

These collaborations are a testament to the rare skill set phixos brings to the table, allowing it to navigate the complex defence sector landscape with a level of competence and reliability that resonates profoundly with industry stalwarts.