Lightweight, On-Orbit Reprogrammable Two-Way Communications Payload

Reconfigurable high altitude or satellite payloads providing communications relay functions are challenging to build due to a number of different factors, including the need for multiple frequency programmability, small size, low power, conduction cooling and poor reliability caused by radiation within the environment. Space Micro’s Software Defined Relay Transponder (μSRT) combines reconfigurable circuits with radiation hardness. The μSRT is a relay communication payload, commonly called a “bent pipe”, for a LEO/HEO satellite or a high altitude (65,000 ft) vehicle/airship. The platform is capable of reprogramming or reconfiguration into different communication waveforms (digital) and frequency bands (RF analog), capable on the payload, in flight. Space Micro has developed unique and critically important technologies that provide capabilities to host different Army waveforms, on the same hardware circuits, while simultaneously being capable of supporting other frequency bands or digital waveforms. The μSRT’s mechanical design supports high altitude or satellite requirements; while its interfaces can support ORS electrical bus standards, such as SpaceWire. The μSRT is also capable of NSA Type 1 crypto, resulting in a fully reprogrammable, radiation hardened, satellite grade relay communications transponder.