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Objectives
The project develops a secure and versatile Payload Controller Unit (PCU) that processes real-time telecommunication data without delay. It integrate with satellite components, such as the payload radio frequency (RF) and memory units, ensuring seamless data flow. The PCU support third-party applications for tasks like blockchain tagging, Quantum Key Distribution for encryption, and AI-data analysis to detect data gap.
One of the project objectives is to provide a System designed to be resilient and secure. The system supports remote software management, ensuring that new applications or updates of the old ones do not interfere with ongoing satellite operations, guaranteeing the flexibility and scalability needed for operational adaptability.
The goal is to provide satellite operators with a flexible, scalable, and secure payload controller that enhances operational capabilities via software-based upgrades, allowing for continuous improvement and enhanced functionality over time.
Benefits
Enhanced Flexibility: enable quick satellite adaptation to quickly evolving customer needs and market demands, thanks to the ability to host third-party applications on existing telecom payloads, allowing operators to add new services without the need to redesign existing hardware.
Improved Operational Efficiency: reduce downtime and operational interruptions during operations due to upgrade or modification on the satellite systems without disrupting satellite functions by supporting remote software updates and new applications.
Increased Security: Enhance data security and protect sensitive information from cyber threats with built-in features like quantum encryption for secure communication and blockchain tagging for traceability.
Cost-effectiveness: Allow satellite operators to offer advanced services without significant additional hardware investments, maximising the value of existing space assets by allowing software-based upgrades and hosting third-party applications,
Expanded Service Offering: increase competitiveness in the telecom market by enabling the integration of non-space domain services, such as AI data analysis and secure communications, broadens the range of services that operators can offer to customers.
Through software upgrades, this versatile approach brings a combination of adaptability, security, and efficiency to satellite operations, offering long-term operational, long-term adaptability, business benefits and continuous expansion of services.
Features
- Hosting application software;
- Remote management;
- Uploading of new applications;
- Data management and data transfer;
- Data conversion;
- Interface management;
- Internal database;
- Application programming interface (API) for applications;
- Powerful microprocessors and/or FPGA;
- Compact space-grade memory units and IC supporting high-throughput data rates (Ethernet, Spacefibre, etc..).
Challenges
The key challenges of this project include ensuring real-time data processing without delays and managing the integration of third-party applications with minimal disruption.
Maintaining secure and reliable communication and data storage is essential, especially for incorporating advanced features like quantum key distribution and AI data analysis.
The hardware must be able to handle high processing capabilities and data storage efficiently, with a system flexible enough to support software updates and new applications without interrupting satellite operations and be resilient and versatile to allow multiple users to develop applications without causing conflicts.
System Architecture
MA61C for payloads:
A processing unit, with capabilities of handling high data rates transfers between payloads, storage units, onboard computer and other communication systems, that can also host applications through local and remote reprogramming of its onboard software. Each application can have direct access to the data and create additional data stream of manipulated data without changing the original data stream.
Plan
The project is divided in three main work packages:
- System engineering: a feasibility study, analysing of use cases and example mission and consolidation of mission/system inputs and derivation of system requirements;
- System concept definition: architecture, hardware, software, interfaces, operation and application;
- Evaluation and identification of technologies.
- Performance evaluation;
- Costs estimation;
- Risk assessment;
- Identification of technology needed to support modular system;
- Next Phase Roadmap definition.
Current Status
A System Requirements Review (SRR) has been completed and a webinar has been performed with the industry and ESA.