FLARe

Status

Completed
Status date

2019-10-15
Activity Code

AO/1-5

Objectives

The project is to develop an AIS system with an added function to remotely update the firmware to the FPGA.

The objective is to use an existing AIS system and re-design to add this function to update firmware onto the FPGA via microcontroller, i.e. in- flight reprogramming.

The project takes an evolutive approach that will allow a stepped development to more advanced in keeping the AIS system updated while in use with future requirements on the functions.

The result is a more flexible, software configurable product designed to give mission assurance with optimised cost of ownership for the evolving small sat world.

Picture credit: COM DEV Europe (TA Honeywell). FLARe AIS Unit

Challenges

The key challenges are in appropriate component selection for the given design philosophy and the system architecture choices to meet the exacting radiation, thermal, mechanical and electrical environmental factors, while maximising product functionality and configurability. Key experiences from heritage flight datalink products, where pragmatic qualification approaches were validated are essential to development success. Our development also requires inputs from as many potential users as possible to ensure that its capabilities meet customer needs.

Benefits

The defined architecture allows for flexibility in reconfiguring firmware updates to the FPGA remotely while in flight mode meeting future operational requirements. configurability also enables:

flexible demodulation
flexible data-rate
flexible output power
Non-ITAR commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components
Low mass and low volume unit
Programmable AIS channel selection

This solution is aimed at missions in low earth orbit (LEO) with a balance of affordability, flexibility and total cost of ownership in mind, enabling smaller, lower cost, more agile platforms in our evolving industry.

Features

Units are built in accordance with ECSS class 3 (NASA level 2) standards taking a radiation tolerant rather than radiation hardened approach to deliver mission assurance.

Low mass, low volume unit
SDR based implementation combined with a direct conversion receiver architecture.
Programmable AIS channel selection
Selectable operational modes
a) raw spectrum capture
b) OBP
Low power consumption

Full product spec available contact Christopher.Bee@honeywell.com

System Architecture