MDA

Payload Management

MDA’s Payload Management electronics provide reliable, efficient solutions for distributing and collecting commands and telemetry between the spacecraft platform Command and Data Handling (C&DH) unit and satellite communication payloads.

MDA’s Payload Management Unit (PMU) interfaces with the spacecraft C&DH via a MIL-STD-1553 bus for the transmission of commands to the payload and transmission of telemetry from the payload. The PMU is capable of generating programmable pulse commands, both high level HLC and low level LLC commands, in a matrix format interface with the payload. The PMU collects payload telemetry using a variety of interfaces including Bi-level matrix (BLM), Bi-level single ended (BSM), Analog telemetry (ASM), and Thermistor (TSM) interfaces. In addition to handling payload commands and telemetry, the PMU also has a motor drive and heater control capability, and is scalable to meet payload requirements.

MDA’s payload management electronics has flight heritage on commercial communication satellites operating in GEO orbit, and selected for the European Space Agency Columbus Ka-band intersatellite communications terminal on the International Space Station.