• Compatible with SPA-1 – ‘SPAready’
• Fast, easy integration of payloads, sensors and subsystems on complex systems
• Extreme miniaturization and flexibility
• Packaged MCM or entry-level PCB devices
• Many space and defense applications

Versatile miniaturized interface and control computer

Remote Terminal Unit devices (RTUs) are flexible miniaturized interface and control computers with support for many common protocols and analog/digital IOs. The units are suitable for nano/microsatellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). Thanks to their robust LTCC substrate technology, they tolerate extremely harsh environments. RTU devices allow fast and easy integration of payloads, sensors and sub-systems on complex systems like spacecraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. Ã…AC Microtec supports a flexible, user-friendly RTU interface with a flash-based FPGA in the core that allows either Ã…AC Microtec-supplied software or user-own.

Space Plug-and-Play Avionics (SPA) compatible

The RTUâ„¢ family has been developed together with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). The device is SPAready, but can easily be used with custom-user protocols without enabling SPA to reduce software overhead. SPA is defined as an interface-driven set of standards encompassing hardware, software and protocols intended to promote the rapid, affordable design and integration of spacecraft busses and payloads. SPA standards combine different data transport standards, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) (SPA-U), SpaceWire (SPA-S) and I2C (SPA-1) with a component-transparent publish/subscribe software infrastructure called the Satellite Data Model (SDM), on which software for command, control, data collection, processing and analysis can be implemented. nanoRTUâ„¢ is compliant with the draft SPA standard, SPA-1. An electronic data sheet called the extended Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (xTEDS) stored with each SPA component contains descriptions of all component-specific commands accepted, variables produced and data messages that can be delivered. Thanks to these standardized elements, a Plug-and-Play satellite can be rapidly designed and assembled from off-the-shelf SPAready components. The fig above shows device examples of Ã…AC Microtec SPAready RTUs.

Architecture, engineering and flight models

RTUâ„¢ is provided as PCB and a multi-chipmodule (MCM) in different packaging. The engineering model (EM) is intended for development in an office environment only. Flight model (FM) is compliant with the ECSS-Q-30-11A EEE component derating standard and conformal coating according to ECSS-Q-ST-70-02, clause 7. Comprehensive SEE/SEU hardware protection is provided.

Read more about how the nanoRTU can be used on the INOVATOR flight hardware page.