Case Study: Lockheed Martin Space Systems achieves 90% faster verification and 8‑month reduced development time with MathWorks (Simulink, MATLAB, HDL Verifier)

Lockheed Martin Develops Configurable, Space-Qualified Digital Channelizer

Lockheed Martin Space Systems needed to design and implement a reconfigurable, space-qualified digital channelizer that could be updated after launch despite FPGA radiation susceptibility and rapidly changing band‑plan requirements. To address this, the team adopted MathWorks’ Model-Based Design approach using MATLAB, Simulink, HDL Verifier and toolboxes (Communications Toolbox, DSP System Toolbox) to model, simulate and document the system and to serve as a golden reference for hardware implementation.

Using MathWorks tools, engineers built parameterized algorithm models and a hardware-like Simulink system, then verified the VHDL implementation with HDL Verifier (with Mentor Graphics ModelSim for bit‑level checks), generating test vectors and speeding iterative changes. The result: verification time dropped by 90%, development time was reduced by eight months (working code in four months for a 5M‑gate design), and reuse of key algorithms saved 50% of design effort on follow‑on projects; the channelizer has been demonstrated in hardware and is undergoing flight certification.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems

Bradford Watson

Staff Engineer