Low-Cost FPGA-based On-board computer

Abstract

This paper discusses the feasibility for the use of commercially available reconfigurable field-programmable gate arrays as themain system processor for small satellite systems and subsystems. FPGAs are in high demand as the space industry and applications are rapidly increasing and evolving. The use of FPGAs within the design of spacecraft systems reduces the design cost, as well as the turnaround time. It is anticipated that the single-board computer can be used as a configurable on-board computer with high flexibility allowing in-orbit reconfiguration (Thai in Applications for FPGAs on nanosatellites, 2014 [1]). Modern FPGAs are designed with embedded processing systems integrated inside the core allowing monotonous performance task to execute more easily with flexibility. One single printed circuit board with the computing power will handle all the challenging requirements for performance and functionality of the payload data handling.