NASA Uses MicroTCA Architecture for Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment Project (SGSS)
Henderson, NV — NASA is upgrading its ground terminals to modernize the communications infrastructure and provide new capabilities for their customers. The architecture chosen for the majority of their system is MicroTCA (ìTCA) for its high performance, system management and failover capabilities, and COTS module diversity. The ground terminals are used in conjunction with several satellites supporting over 20 spacecraft, including the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope, and Terra.
VadaTech's MicroTCA system has been selected for the NASA project, including a 5U 12-slot chassis, a dual 10GbE FMC interface module, and the MicroTCA Carrier Hub (MCH). SGSS plans to use ìTCA components for the majority of the DSP element, including the analog-to-digital converters, modems, beamformers and processors. The ìTCA architecture is also employed for USG local interface functions. The use of ìTCA open-standard technologies provides a true COTS architecture, preventing sole vendor lock-in and saves money due to the low unit costs for the chassis, power supplies and processing cards. The upgraded ground terminal will accomplish more functionality in 1½ equipment racks versus the 24 needed in the current system.
About VadaTech
VadaTech provides innovative embedded computing solutions from board-level products, chassis-level platforms, to configurable application-ready systems. With a focus on MicroTCA and AdvancedTCA solutions, the company offers unmatched product selection and expertise in the full xTCA ecosystem. With our unique combination of electrical, mechanical, software, and system-level expertise, VadaTech can provide customized commercial or rugged computing solutions to meet the most complex customer requirements. VadaTech also offers specialized product solutions for VPX/VME, CompactPCI, and other architectures. A member of PICMG and VITA, VadaTech is headquarted in Henderson, NV with offices in Europe and Asia Pacific.
VadaTech, Inc.
www.VadaTech.com
198 N. Gibson Rd
Henderson, NV 89014
Company Contact:
Justin Moll
702-896-3337
justin.moll@VadaTech.com
