PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
RADE aimed to develop a reconfigurable hardware platform that can be qualified and reused in the development of a variety of different applications.
The platform’s functionality and performance were evaluated under this programme using a typical application of an AIS receiver. COM DEV used this application to demonstrate the ability of the platform to be reconfigured and change modes of operation.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
The ability to perform radio functions in the software domain enables cheaper, more reliable and highly flexible systems to be developed. This is important in the space segment, where the expected life of the equipment is long and the ability to configure and upgrade the radio to implement additional features and requirements after deployment is highly desirable. The more of the design that can be made “soft”, the greater the ability to re-use technology and capitalise on previous investment
COM DEV developed RADE (Reconfigurable Applications Demonstration Equipment), a COTS based in-orbit reconfigurable platform, using ITAR free, Mil-Aero, industrial grade, or other unrestricted components.
Challenges
The program faced a major technical challenge in selecting the correct parts that have compatibility with the developed AIS application firmware.
Plan
The overall project was executed in four phases some of which ran concurrently:
Phase 1: Refinement of the architecture, mechanics, circuit design and EEE selection and procurement.
Phase 2: Manufacturing and assembly, with the major constituents being assembled and tested before integration into the unit as a whole.
Phase 3: Software development of the FPGA application and the target microcontroller.
Phase 4: Testing where the application system was reconfigured and the top-level system demonstrated the satellite AIS application.
Current Status
Complete.
Companies
