Instrument Control Unit (ICU)

Key Features and Technical Specifications

• Processing Architecture: Powered by the GR740 (Quad-Core LEON4FT SPARC V8) processor, delivering high-performance, radiation-tolerant computing (running at 250 MHz) for intensive real-time tasks.

  • Integrated with the RTG4 radiation-tolerant flash-based FPGA to handle high-speed data formatting, packetization, and complex input/output routing.

• Payload Interfacing: Built-in support for standard aerospace communication protocols such as SpaceWire, SpaceFibre, CAN, I2C, SPI, and RS-422/485.

• Data Acquisition & Control: Precise analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion for reading sensors and driving actuators.

Target Applications

• Earth Observation: Controlling high-resolution optical payloads, multispectral cameras, and high-speed downlink protocols.

• Planetary Exploration & Robotics: Managing instruments for rovers, landers, and autonomous hazard-avoidance systems.

• Scientific Research: Processing data from space-based telescopes, phase-meters and much more.