IN ORBIT RE-PROGRAMMABILITY OF DIGITAL SUBSYSTEMS OF SATELLITE

Abstract

Every Spacecraft/ Satellite has many digital subsystems which are widely used for a various kind of
controlling and data processing applications. Field Programmable gate arrays are one of the most common elements of
these subsystems considering the last minute programmability. Presently, One Time Programmable (OTP) and SRAM
based FPGAs are used in the space programs. Once the functionality of FPGA is fixed at ground, then it cannot be
altered in space. Re-Programmability of these devices would be useful to fix the bugs, change the functionalities or
addition of the new functionalities in due time course resulting in extension of mission life. Here in this project the
concept of the full Re-Programmability and partial Re-Programmability of SRAM based FPGA as a part of the satellite
or space craft would be demonstrated. The concept of Re Programmability of FPGA devices in orbit is achieved using
rewritable program memory, re programmable rad-hard FPGA devices and a self developed unique protocol as part of
the main logic/program.