PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The main objective of the project is the complete development and qualification of a flight equipment devoted to providing services for digital telecommunication payloads, with key characteristics of direct interfacing and in-orbit flexibility through complete reconfiguration capabilities. To do so, the project covers not only the development of the unit itself but also the test means to achieve the full qualification.
Challenges
The product nature defines directly the main challenges of its development. The need of a fully software defined equipment compatible with over the air upgrades, thanks to in-orbit reconfiguration of the main computing parts.
System Architecture
The product is a reconfigurable payload computer allowing a new concept for payload management, specially fitted for: Digital Processed Payload with real-time dynamicity, Virtual, Shared and Hosted Payloads management and Smart payload services.
The product is capable to control and monitor an entire payload thanks to the direct connection to the payload control centre. For that purpose, it is connected to the various elements in the payload, including the core telecom signal processor on one side, to the platform on the other side and with the operations control through dedicated RF interfaces.
Plan
The project objective was the qualification of a flight unit. For this reason, the project phases covered the classical development approach.
After a Kick-Off meeting (KOM) a preliminary design phase was conducted with the manufacturing and validation of an EM. This phase ended with a PDR (Preliminary Design review). After the PDR, the Critical development phase started with the consolidation of the design and the manufacturing and qualification of an EQM. This phase ended with a CDR (Critical design Review) and the delivery review Board of the EQM including the Qualification review.
Current Status
The current status of the project is the following:
EQM qualification has been successful and the project is completed.
Several flight programs are currently in the pipeline for this product.
