Episode 16 of the Space Industry podcast is a discussion with Alén Space about the use and integration of OBCs, TT&C units, and other space- and ground-based equipment, into a single satellite and associated data system.
In this episode we speak with Isolina Pérez Donnelly, Sales Manager at satsearch member Alén Space, about how the data systems used in both the space and the ground segment can be better integrated into a single ecosystem.
Alén Space is a Spanish CubeSat integrator and engineering company that provides equipment, manufacturing, consultancy, design services, and operational expertise for small satellite missions and services. In the episode we discuss:
- The challenges and benefits of integrating sub-systems from different suppliers.
- How on-board and ground-based data systems can be better integrated for a more successful mission.
- What aspects of hardware and software can be standardized in the data ecosystem to drive efficiencies.
- Integrating cloud-based solutions into small satellite missions.
The product portfolio of Alén Space
The Alén Space TRISKEL is an OBC and TTC solution in a single motherboard with optional closed OBSW for predefined platforms, based on ECSS/ESA PUS standard, or an SDK based on FreeRTOS for custom development. It is integrated into a single PC104 module and based on a Cortex-M7 microcontroller for both the OBC and TTC. The system also has different types of sensors integrated to monitor the satellite's voltage, current, temperature sensors, and inertial measurement unit (IMU).
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The Alén Space Ground Station Kit (GS-Kit) is designed to provide a cost-effective gateway to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. It includes the structure, antennas, cables, azimuth and elevation rotors, GS control software and Alén Space's SDR rack. It can simultaneously support three different bands: VHF, UHF and S-band. It is compatible with GNU Radio allowing the implementation of new waveforms and protocols to support different missions.
The Alén Space TOTEM Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a flight-proven software defined radio system suitable for communication nanosatellites. TOTEM operates in commonly-used nanosatellite frequency bands using Xilinx's Zynq-7020 SoC with embedded Linux and programmable logic. It also includes a wide frequency range transceiver and can be reconfigured in orbit.
The Alen Space SDR-Rack - Ground Communications is designed for space applications. It is used as a ground station transceiver for the VHF and UHF bands, which integrates the SDR and the frontends necessary for communications with satellites in these bands. The SDR rack is composed of 2 independent SDRs, one for Antenna Port (ANT) 1 and ANT2 bidirectional ports, and the other for reception in ANT3 and transmission in the SDR2 RF output port.