RF check-out suitcase for a satellite payload

A transportable RF check-out system, designed and developed in hardware and software, including the power distribution unit and four purpose-built interface subsystems.

A transportable radio-frequency system — a "suitcase", that is, a cabinet built to be moved between sites and returned to service without recalibration — for the check-out of a satellite payload.

IN SY TO held system responsibility in both hardware and software, and built four distinct subsystems for the interface towards the ground segment: discrete signal board, telecommand channel, telemetry channel and power lines with second-level control — an independent protection layered over the primary one, the architecture adopted when the downstream load cannot be replaced and a failure of the main protection is not an acceptable hypothesis.

The delivery also includes power distribution unit realization. The set of four interfaces is in itself the description of a complete EGSE capability: power, discretes, command and observation.

Role

R1 — System responsible for hardware and software. Scale: transportable cabinet, new build. Customer: an Italian satellite operator.

Work performed

  • System design and development, hardware and software
  • Power distribution unit realization
  • Discrete signal board design and realization
  • Telecommand channel design and realization
  • Telemetry channel design and realization
  • Design and realization of power lines with second-level control