Modular Architecture for Robust Computing (MARC) for Spacecraft Avionics, Payload Processing and Data Handling

MARC is an innovative hardware development by SEA to unify future spacecraft processing systems to create a SpaceWire network based, scalable, fault tolerant, high performance capability, and robust system solution suitable for Spacecraft platform and data handling applications.

The design features a SpaceWire Active Backplane and Modules with SpaceWire interfaces; these permit optimisation of the system to suit different applications. The developed demonstration system uses many recently developed European technologies such as the LEON2FT processor and the SpaceWire 10X Router as well as commercial technologies such as DDR and FLASH for the Mass Memory Module. The design uses technologies that have a defined component level roadmap to a radiation tolerant flight system.

The potential applications for MARC are extremely broad, encompassing single spacecraft with modest platform and instrument requirements, to high data rate instruments mounted on multiple formation-flying spacecraft.

The project has completed the hardware build and the test phase. MARC is suitable for use in the development of flight software.

Avionics applications include:

• Platform command and control
• Science spacecraft data handling and payload processing
• Deep space missions requiring a high level of autonomy
• Planetary robotic systems
• Complex and/or multiple payloads