OUR EXPERTISE
Digital Connectivity for Modern Space Electronics
By streamlining high performance onboard computing and expediting valuable data assets for transmissions within a spacecraft or inter-constellation as well as back to Earth, an integrated digital infrastructure is revolutionizing space electronics. It has paved the way for unprecedented, new space innovations including the launch of the commercial space market, the development of a lunar gateway for long-term deep space exploration, and redundant small satellite constellation networks.
Modeling an “information highway” approach, the digital infrastructure concept provides a unified, connected communication framework for the increasing number of digital technologies being implemented throughout space technologies.
This architecture, which heavily utilizes COTS systems for scale and cost-efficiencies, is shaping how future space missions will operate from NEO/LEO/GEO and lunar applications up to deep space and beyond.
Solving Challenges with Next-gen Space Electronics
Aitech’s digital infrastructure enables space electronics that span the universe by removing the connectivity and computing limitations as well as the associated performance bottlenecks that have forced space-grade, radiation-tolerant electronics to lag several generations behind similar systems on Earth in terms of technology advancement, adoption of modernized scalable architectures and open standards.
A critical differentiator in space system architectures is how the digital infrastructure increases data communications across in-orbit systems as well as those that are earth-bound. This advanced multi-processor architecture in space-ready systems provides faster processing and better integration while withstanding the rigors of launch as well as the space environment to meet the needs and expectations of the space industry.
Why COTS Makes Sense for The Space Market
The use of a common COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) infrastructure delivers timely and cost-effective solutions that are modular and scalable to fulfill multi-mission objectives with high technology readiness level (TRL) hardware. Standardized COTS electronics also ensure the systems are fit to launch in most launch vehicles for rapid deployment of space assets.
As space electronics continue to evolve from components and boards to a space-ready orbital system approach for both single-string and redundant architectures, SWaP-C optimization becomes more critical. Orbital space systems following the integrated digital infrastructure approach enable unprecedented levels of connectivity within space platforms, as well as in space-to-ground communications.
Common, Networked Digital Infrastructure
Our space digital connectivity architecture consists of four main elements:
- Open Standard Networking
- Network Attach Storage (NAS)
- Edge Computing with AI/ML
- Cybersecurity
The two primary implementations of the digital infrastructure – one for LEO/NEO satellites and ISS, and another for GEO satellites/missions and lunar exploration – use these four elements to enable easy up/down scalability based on spacecraft size and mission requirements. Each of the implementations provides specifically designed and radiation-tested products for its target space environment.
Because it is constructed around a central networking pillar based on open Ethernet standards, the digital infrastructure streamlines and expedites data transmissions within a spacecraft or satellite constellation as well as back to Earth, eliminating significant technical challenges such as extremely slow, cumbersome communications.
The future of space electronics will continue to see a dramatic shift from traditional computing in earth-bound data centers to accelerated computing happening in-orbit as space-ready systems evolve.
All Missions and Orbits
At the heart of integrated digital infrastructure is Aitech’s network switches as well as the first-in-space PEC computer (S-A1760), based on the NVIDIA® GPGPU architecture, enabling multiple edge computing and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) applications deployed directly in space. These onboard computing capabilities mean significant data streams no longer need to be sent back to Earth.
For GEO and lunar orbiting or terrestrial environments, our 5th generation radiation characterized SP0-S SBC provides dual Gigabit Ethernet ports.
This broad, inclusive rugged technology, coupled with Aitech space pedigree, human spaceflight system expertise and over a million hours of space operations without a failure, makes the company a one-stop-shop for space electronic systems providing both a complete digital infrastructure architecture based on comprehensive COTS/MOTS products as well as Modification, Integration, Assembly & Testing (MIAT) services to our customers, greatly lowering risk, costs and time to market.
Improved Space Communication
This unified, digital infrastructure enables seamless integration and high-speed reliability across real-time data and non-real-time data, providing secure connectivity between internal/external digital/optical communications systems, GPS/PNT distribution, TSN-based sensor data distribution such as optical imagers, EtherCAT-based robotics, local edge/AI computing, and shared NAS elements.
