CDPU - Control & Data Processing Unit for Smallsat Instruments

Together with NLR - Netherlands Aerospace Centre we have been developing a new control & data processing unit (CDPU) for small satellites. This new space technology will support the Dutch optical instruments industry. The CDPU will form a logical bridge between optical instruments and the satellite platform. It will allow control of the instrument and preprocessing of optical data before sending it down to earth. New space technology such as this will open up space for new applications, such as 'constellation spaces' – satellites working together for many different use cases.

The CDPU is focused on easy and reliable integration and operation of optical instruments in smallsat platforms. In addition to interfacing for optics, the CDPU has another important task: the built-in FPGA processors are able to preprocess the recorded imaging data. This happens before the data is transmitted downstream to the ground station. Preprocessing the data means much less bandwidth is required to do this. In addition, the CDPU is equipped with enough computational power to filter out irrelevant data from the measurement results and to make data secure through encryption.

https://www.technolution.com/cdpu

https://www.technolution.com/advance/insights/a-dutch-hub-for-processing-data-in-new-space/

https://www.technolution.com/advance/cases/control-and-data-processing-unit-for-small-satellites/