picoRTU system
Highly modular Remote Terminal Unit system
for LEO small & micro satellite missions
The robust picoRTU modular system has been designed to answer space industry needs for faster time to market, reducing non-recurrent costs while easing the integration and verification process. The modular RTU system is based on the use of prequalified RTU units. Various unit models are available, each providing different types of ECSS-compliant user interfaces and thus can be efficiently tailored on a mission to mission basis, almost without any non-recurrent charges.
picoRTU Base unit (picortu-base-1)
picoRTU-analog-1
picoRTU-digital-1
picoRTU-hp-1
Features
Fault tolerant by design
The picoRTU units incorporate radiation tolerant FPGA, with EDAC protected internal memories. System-on-Chip implementation incorporates SkyLabs’s small PicoSkyFT Fault Tolerant processor core, which is Radiation Hardened by Design. The design is enhanced with 3-level FDIR hierarchical approach in order to increase robustness of COTS based components to single event effects. In addition, special countermeasures are considered in order to mitigate transient events or soft errors.
Interoperability
The picoRTU interoperability via Remote Terminal Interface is provided by utilizing standardized redundant CAN (ISO 11898-2) interfaces, which are fully compliant with ECSS-E-ST-50-15C - CANbus extension protocol at the application layer. Its utilization on top of the CAN physical layer gains added value in terms of interoperability across picoRTUs or any other ECSS-E-ST-50-15C CAN based compliant equipment.
Unified firmware architecture
The picoRTU units shares a single, universal and qualified firmware, based on real-time OS. The firmware architecture follows SAVOIR RTU Functional and Operability Requirements (SAVOIR-GS-003). The units’ firmware is pre-configured in production (following well established approach in automotive industry) to support a dedicated hardware configuration.
Versatile ground supporting software
skyEGSE Tool primarily enables picoRTU parameters configuration, such as: network parameters, user interfaces, characteristics, TM sampling rates, TM logging, TM conditioning, managing TM/TC list, etc. The SW tool additionally supports picoRTU system integration test and verification during assembly and integration, either on the bench or satellite itself. In an addition, the software can be used for a real time monitoring of housekeeping and user TM data, while providing full TC control for verification purposes of connected actuators, network management, etc. picoRTU units together with skyEGSE tool represent a turnkey solution, therefore being the one of the competitive advantages over the state-of-the-art RTU solutions.
Technical specifications - picoRTU Base unit
picoRTU Base unit (picortu-base-1)
provides basic set of user interfaces and complete power management of picoRTU stack to increase efficiency in terms of SWaP.
Discrete User interfaces:
• 8x Differential ASM, ASM,
TSM1, BSM, or Sun sensors with
internal calibration support
• 8x Digital IO (3V3 LVCMOS)
Communication User Interfaces:
• 4x RS422 links
• 2x UART
• 2x CAN
• 2x SPI
• 2x TWI
Supply voltage:
• Unregulated 28 V DC (from 24V to 32V)
Power consumption: ≤ 3 W
Dimensions: 107x107x13.5 mm
Mass: ≤ 127 g
Technical specifications - picoRTU-analog-1
picoRTU-analog-1
add-on unit extends the stack with the analog input user interfaces.
Discrete User interfaces:
• 32x Differential ASM, ASM, TSM1,
BSM, or Sun sensors with
internal calibration support
Power consumption: ≤ 1,5 W
Dimensions: 107x107x13.5 mm
Mass: ≤ 127 g
Technical specifications - picoRTU-digital-1
picoRTU-digital-1
add-on unit extends the stack with the digital input/output and communication user interfaces.
Discrete User interfaces:
• 64x Digital IOs
Communication User Interfaces:
• Up to 8x RS422 links
• Up to 2x CAN
• 8x UART
• 4x SPI
• 4x TWI
Power consumption: ≤ 1,5 W
Dimensions: 107x107x13.5 mm
Mass: ≤ 127 g
Technical specifications - picoRTU-hp-1
picoRTU-hp-1
add-on unit extends the stack with the high-power command user interfaces with a dedicated power feed connector.
Discrete User interfaces:
• 12x HC/HV-HPC w/
Arm/Fire support
• Spec. Function: Stepper,
BLDC, SADM ,...
Power consumption: ≤ 2,5 W (internal)
Dimensions: 107x107x13.5 mm
Mass: ≤ 127 g
Module specifications and generic parameters
Modular distributed system
The PicoSkyFT processor is a key enabling technology for a distributed system. It provides new frontiers of miniaturization capabilities that enable modularity on the system level. picoRTU system can be utilized either as a standalone base unit or, using a stacked modular approach, as a collection of interconnected (add-on) units. In a stacked solutionthe latter case the internal power management bus and RTI are shared over internal extension connector, but only the base-board in stack provide external RTI. From mechanical point of view, picoRTUs units are utilized as equal structural building blocks in order to enable modular and seamless assembly, by combining different unit types into the stack and furthermore into the network.
Intelligent Features
The picoRTU system is based on a distributed intelligence that enables higher level of subsystem autonomy. Possible use cases that can be performed by incorporating picoRTU units providing higher level of autonomy for New Space on-board platforms are:
• Thermal Control System
• Motor Control System
• Redundancy Management
• Optimized Housekeeping Telemetry
Standardised user interfaces
The picoRTU system provides discrete user interfaces that are compliant with ECSS-E-ST-50-14C specifications. In addition, picoRTU units also provide a variety of other interfaces which can be also tailored to customer specific requirements, as for an example digital or analog power control like control of BLDC or stepper motors.
