Microelectronics

On-Board Components

This page includes a list of components for spacecraft electronics that are available or under development. Some existing components are presented, some components under development are presented, and some high-level application notes are provided. The focus is on non-proprietary components available to all companies.

Due to the announced discontinuation of all SOS4 and SOS5 MITEL (S) products, all related information has been removed from this page. This includes the following components: Virtual Channel Assembler (VCA) MS12399, Virtual Channel Multiplexer (VCM) MS12396, Reed-Solomon and Convolutional Encoder (RESCUE) MS13544, Packet Telecommand Decoder (PTCD) MS13545 and Local Time Management System (LTMS) MS13196.

* Development of an Advanced GPS GLONASS ASIC (Format: PDF)

This paper presents the second generation radiation tolerant Advanced GPS GLONASS ASIC, the AGGA-2, implementing the core digital signal processing for combined GPS and GLONASS receivers. The AGGA-2 supports a wide range of space related applications, both for single-frequency (C/A-code) and dual-frequency (both C/A- and P-code) receivers. The paper describes the principles of GPS operation, followed by a list of applications targeted by the AGGA-2, typical receiver configurations and an overview of the AGGA-2 functionality. Authors: Peter Sinander (ESA/ESTEC TOS-ESM) and Pierluigi Silvestrin (ESA/ESTEC APP-JPP).
* The Ada TAsking Co-processor (ATAC)
The Ada TAsking Coprocessor (ATAC) handles tasking operations of the Ada run-time system. The ATAC performs task dependency computations and selection of the next task to be scheduled. It supports suspend/abort and delay statements, all types of rendez-vous, priority, interrupts, semaphores and tasking related exceptions.
* Development Plan for Turbo Encoder Core and Devices Implementing the Updated CCSDS Telemetry Channel Coding Standard (Format: Adobe PDF)
A new coding scheme known as Turbo Coding is being introduced in the telemetry channel coding recommendations from the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS). As turbo coding is being considered for several European scientific spacecraft, the development of a turbo encoder core and devices, with the associated ground system, has been undertaken by the European Space Agency (ESA). Authors: Sandi Habinc (ESA/ESTEC TOS-ESM), et al.
* PETRA - Packetised Essential Telemetry Retrieval ASIC (Format: Adobe PDF)
The PETRA is a mixed analogue/digital device demonstrating a novel concept for retrieving sensor data on-board spacecraft: each PETRA chip can connect up to 40 analogue or digital sensors which are sampled at a nominal period between 10 ms and 50 s. The sensor data is output as CCSDS compliant Telemetry packets. Several PETRA chips can be cascaded in a chain, to be able to connect as many sensors as required. This first demonstrator has been implemented in a commercial non radiation-hard technology from AMS. Author: Dermott MacEvilly (SSL). The complete PETRA Preliminary Data Sheet can be provided upon request.
* An Autonomous CCSDS Packet Generating ASIC for Analogue and Digital Telemetry (Format: Adobe PDF)
The Packetised Essential Telemetry Retrieval ASIC (PETRA) is a mixed analogue/digital chip for retrieving sensor data on-board spacecraft. This paper introduces the advantages of using the PETRA in a spacecraft's Data Handling System compared to a traditional implementation. Authors: Debbie Reddy (SSL), Peter Sinander (ESA/ESTEC TOS-ESM), et al.
* A Single-chip CCSDS Packet Telemetry and Telecommand Based Microcamera (Format: Adobe PDF)
By applying the packet telemetry and telecommand standards endorsed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) to a microcamera, the need for support from the on-board data handling system can almost be eliminated. If the microcamera is designed with interfaces that fully match those of the telemetry and the telecommand subsystem, the additional interface components will be reduced to simple transceivers. Authors: Werner Ogiers (IMEC, Sandi Habinc (ESA/ESTEC TOS-ESM), et al.
* Miniaturised Microcontroller based Read-out Electronics for Space Applications (Format: Adobe PDF)
The Particle Detector Front End (PDFE) ASIC together with an 8052 based microcontroller forms a chip set being developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) for compact low cost scientific energetic particle instrumentation. Driving requirements of low noise and power consumption led to the selection of a single configurable analogue channel followed by an internal 8-bit ADC. Low mass and volume necessitated for space applications require on-chip integration of supporting functions such as discriminators, independent coincidence event detection and an efficient serial control interface. Authors: Bengt Johlander (ESA/ESTEC SCI-SO), Sandi Habinc and Peter Sinander (ESA/ESTEC TOS-ESM), et al.
* A Microcontroller with Built-in Support for CCSDS Telecommand and Telemetry (Format: Adobe PDF)
A microcontroller based on the well-known Intel 8052 device is being developed with built-in support for CCSDS telecommand and telemetry. The objective is to develop a microcontroller for applications with moderate processing requirements but needing high safety and easy accommodation of equipment interfaces. Authors: Marc Pollina (ADV Engineering), Peter Sinander and Sandi Habinc (ESA/ESTEC TOS-ESM).
* The TeamSat Data Handling System (Format: Adobe PDF)
TeamSat is the first ESA spacecraft to be flown with ESA/CCSDS compliant TM and TC systems and the first spacecraft anywhere to exploit the adaptive, asynchronous TM capabilities they support. The paper presents the data handling system of the TeamSat dual spacecraft. Authors: Calum Smith, Peter Sinander, Sandi Habinc (ESA/ESTEC TOS-ESM), et al.
* Low cost, ASIC based Telemetry and Telecommand Systems - The TeamSat Experience (Format: Adobe PDF)
The TeamSat dual spacecraft launched by the Ariane 502 test launch was completed in record time and very low cost. The data handling system was ready to support final integration and testing in 6 months despite the fact it had to be designed from scratch. Authors: Calum Smith, Peter Sinander, Sandi Habinc (ESA/ESTEC TOS-ESM), et al.
* TM/TC Interface Glue Logic for TeamSat Spacecraft (Format: Adobe PDF)
Large part of the glue logic for the TeamSat TM/TC system was implemented in two Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). This document specifies all functional requirements. It is assumed that the reader has previous knowledge about ESA/CCSDS packet TM/TC standards and components implementing them. Author: Sandi Habinc (ESA/ESTEC TOS-ESM).
* Overview of ESA PSS documents
An overview of the ESA Procedures, Specifications and Standards (PSS) documents concerning Space Data Communications.
* Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems
The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) is an international organisation of space agencies interested in mutually developing standard data handling techniques to support space research, including space science and applications, conducted exclusively for peaceful purposes.

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Sandi Alexander Habinc (sandi@ws.estec.esa.nl)

Last edited 17 March 1999


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