Payload Process-1
High-Speed, Radiation-Tolerant Data Logging Platform for Space Missions
OVERVIEW
The CAVU Aerospace Payload Process-1 is a modular, high-throughput subsystem designed to handle mission-critical data acquisition, compression, storage, and transmission in harsh space environments.
Built around the Microchip PolarFire® SoC, it combines deterministic logic with advanced I/O flexibility, supporting multi-camera interfaces, high-speed NVMe storage, and multiple downlink pathways. The system is optimized for small satellite and CubeSat-class missions operating in LEO and beyond.
KEY FEATURES
- Processing Core: Microchip PolarFire® SoC with embedded RISC-V cores and SEU-immune flash fabric
- Video Encoding: Real-time H.264 compression for dual Full HD MIPI inputs
- Thermal Monitoring: Integrated telemetry for temperature, voltage, and current
- Power Consumption: 5–15 W typical (based on active subsystems and operational mode)
- Operating Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
- Mechanical Format: CubeSat stackable or custom flat-mount (configurable to mission)
- Radiation Strategy: Designed for LEO; SEU-mitigated logic; flash-based configuration
KEY INTERFACES & CAPABILITIES
General SerDes: 8-lane TX/RX SerDes up to 12 Gbps per lane; configurable as:
- PCIe
- SATA
- Aurora
- 10G Ethernet
- Custom protocols
Camera Input: 2x MIPI CSI-2 Full HD inputs (with onboard real-time H.264 encoding)
Storage:
- Dual eMMC modules (64 GB to 1 TB each, 480–800 Mbps)
- Dual M.2 NVMe SSDs (PCIe Gen2 x4, 1.5 GB/s or 12 Gbps per slot)
Networking:
- 2x 1G Ethernet ports
- Optional 10G Ethernet over SerDes
SpaceWire: 4x SpaceWire channels, 400 Mbps each (ECSS-E-ST-50-12C compliant)
Serial Interfaces:
- 4x configurable RS422/RS232 ports
- 2x CAN2.0B
- I2C/SPI
Timing: 1PPS input for time-tagging and synchronization
Debug & Expansion: USB/UART, JTAG, optional GPIOs
APPLICATIONS
- High-resolution imaging missions
- Onboard AI/ML data preprocessing
- Space science and Earth observation payloads
- Real-time tactical ISR data capture
- Time-tagged storage and network relay for sensor arrays
