University of Arizona researchers are working on hybrid hardware/software systems that one day might use machine intelligence to allow spacecraft to heal themselves, and even fix a predicted fault before it occurs, leading to extremely stable computer systems that could operate for long periods without failure.

They are using Field Programmable Gate Arrays, which combine software and hardware to produce flexible systems that can be reconfigured at the chip level. FPGAs are used for prototyping circuits because their firmware can be reprogrammed. Rather than creating costly circuits in hardware, engineers can test their ideas quickly and inexpensively in FPGA firmware.