Satellite Payload Data Acquisition System

Aerospace and Defense Application

Description

Complete data acquisition solution for satellite payload applications featuring multi-channel precision ADCs, signal conditioning, and radiation-tolerant design for reliable operation in space environments.

Core Advantages

Radiation-tolerant design with 100 krad(Si) rating for reliable space operation
Integrated programmable gain amplifiers reduce external component count
Redundant power architecture ensures mission continuity
16-bit precision with 92dB SNR for high-quality data acquisition
Low power consumption maximizes payload operational time

Recommended Bill of Materials (BOM)

Item Part Number Description Quantity Datasheet
1 MXD1604 16-Bit 4-Channel SAR ADC 4 📄 Download
2 MXPGA816 8-Channel Programmable Gain Amplifier 2 📄 Download
3 MXD5303 Triple Output DC-DC Converter 2 📄 Download
4 MXLDO33 3.3V Low Noise LDO 4 📄 Download
5 MXCAN1050 Isolated CAN Transceiver 1 📄 Download

Applications

Satellite Payload Systems
Spacecraft Instrumentation
Orbital Platforms
Deep Space Probes

Technical Specifications

Input Channels
16 differential or 32 single-ended
A D C Resolution
16-bit
Sampling Rate
500 kSPS per channel (aggregate 2 MSPS)
Input Range
±10V, ±5V, ±2.5V programmable
Gain Range
0.5 to 128 programmable
S N R
>92 dB
T H D
<-100 dB
Power Consumption
<800mW total (16 channels)
Operating Temperature
-55°C to +125°C
Radiation Tolerance
100 krad(Si) total dose
Package
Custom hermetic module

Customer Success Stories

Leading Commercial Satellite Operator

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Challenge

A commercial satellite operator needed a high-reliability data acquisition system for their Earth observation payload. The system required 16 channels of precision sensor acquisition, radiation tolerance for 5-year mission life in LEO, and extremely low power consumption to maximize payload capacity.

Solution

Implemented the Mxtronics satellite payload data acquisition solution with MXD1604 ADCs and MXPGA816 programmable gain amplifiers. The radiation-tolerant design with 100 krad(Si) rating ensures reliable operation throughout the mission. Redundant MXD5303 power converters provide fault tolerance.

Results

"The Mxtronics solution exceeded our reliability expectations while delivering the precision we need for high-quality Earth imaging. The radiation tolerance and low power consumption were critical to our mission success."

Space Research Organization

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Challenge

Needed precision data acquisition for space telescope instrumentation with ultra-low noise requirements.

Solution

Deployed MXD2420 24-bit sigma-delta ADCs with custom filtering for noise reduction.

Results

"The Mxtronics ADCs delivered exceptional performance in our cryogenic environment."

FAE Expert Insights

S

Senior FAE

Applications Engineer

10+ years

Professional Insights

For satellite payload applications, I always recommend implementing the full radiation-tolerant BOM even for LEO missions. While the radiation environment is less severe, single event effects can still cause system upsets. The MXD1604's built-in self-test features should be exercised regularly in orbit to verify continued functionality. For the programmable gain amplifiers, I suggest setting gain during ground commissioning and avoiding dynamic gain changes in orbit to minimize potential upset conditions. The redundant power architecture with MXD5303 converters has proven extremely reliable - we've seen automatic failover work correctly in several instances without mission impact. Based on our extensive field experience with satellite systems, the key to success is proper component selection with adequate margin, thorough ground testing, and continuous health monitoring in orbit.

Key Takeaways

  • Use full radiation-tolerant BOM even for LEO missions
  • Exercise built-in self-test features regularly in orbit
  • Set PGA gain during commissioning, avoid dynamic changes
  • Monitor power supply health telemetry continuously

Decision Framework

Satellite Data Acquisition Decision Framework
Steps:
  1. Assess radiation environment and mission duration
  2. Select components with 2x TID margin
  3. Implement redundant power architecture
  4. Design comprehensive health monitoring system
  5. Plan periodic BIST during maintenance windows

Ready to Implement This Solution?

Contact our FAE team for design support and quotes

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total power consumption of the complete 16-channel system?

The complete 16-channel data acquisition system consumes approximately 800mW at full operation (all channels sampling at 500 kSPS). This includes the ADCs, PGAs, power supplies, and interface circuitry. Power consumption scales with sampling rate - at reduced rates, consumption drops proportionally. For power-critical applications, individual channels can be powered down when not needed.

Calculate your power budget based on required channels and sampling rate. Contact our FAE team for power optimization recommendations.

How does the radiation tolerance compare to COTS components?

The Mxtronics satellite solution uses radiation-tolerant components rated for 100 krad(Si) total ionizing dose, compared to typical COTS components that may fail at 5-10 krad(Si). the components are characterized for single event effects (SEE) including single event latchup (SEL), single event upset (SEU), and single event functional interrupt (SEFI). This provides orders of magnitude better reliability in space environments compared to standard commercial components.

For missions longer than 1 year or in high-radiation orbits, radiation-tolerant components are essential. Contact us for radiation test reports and suitability assessments.

Can the system be customized for different channel counts?

Yes, the modular architecture allows scaling from 4 to 32 channels by adding or removing MXD1604 ADC and MXPGA816 PGA modules. Each MXD1604 provides 4 channels, so configurations of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, or 32 channels are supported. Power supplies and mechanical packaging scale accordingly. Custom channel counts and specialized sensor interfaces can be accommodated - contact our applications team for custom configuration support.

Select channel count based on your sensor requirements. Consider future expansion needs when specifying initial configuration.

What is the data throughput of the system?

The system provides up to 2 MSPS aggregate sampling rate across 16 channels. With 16-bit resolution, this equals 32 Mbps raw data throughput. The SPI interface supports clock rates up to 50 MHz, providing ample bandwidth for data transfer. For applications requiring higher throughput, the system can be configured with parallel ADCs or higher-speed converters from the Mxtronics portfolio.

Calculate required throughput based on channel count and sampling rate. Contact FAE for high-throughput configurations.

How is calibration handled in the system?

The MXD1604 ADCs include internal calibration features for offset and gain. System-level calibration can be performed using precision reference voltages. For highest accuracy, implement periodic calibration cycles using known reference inputs. The programmable gain amplifiers allow gain trim to compensate for sensor variations. All calibration coefficients can be stored in system memory and applied digitally.

Use internal ADC calibration for basic accuracy. Implement system-level calibration for highest precision requirements.