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Key highlights

The CODE+ is a compact, modular, high-reliable two-axes stepper motor controller capable of operating various types of mechanisms such as antennas, solar arrays or thrusters.

Each module provides 2 independent motor channels that can be individually configured as two- or three-phase drivers. Up to 3 sensors per motor are processed on-board or routed-through. Each sensor can be configured either as digital (switch) or analog input (thermistor, potentiometer). Additional 2 feed-through lines are provided per motor, which can be used for functions not supported on-board such as heater control or encoder processing. Each motor interface is located on a separate connector. To increase the channel capacity, up to 4 modules may be stacked vertically.

Optional extension modules can be offered for e.g. multiplexing or MIL-STD-1553B interfacing. The CODE+ is controlled via a dual UART interface applying CCSDS packets. The unit is operated from a rad-tolerant microcontroller. The software is category B (ECSS-E-ST-40C) and supports in-orbit patching.

Applications

Two-phase motor driving with up to 64 micro-steps
Three-phase motor driving in full-step mode
Auto-Start function or On/Off High-Power-Command
Go to Target operation (absolute / relative)
Constant Speed drive
Acceleration limited speed profiles
End-switch stop, step-loss control
Secondary supply short-circuit protection
Over-current protection of motor driver
FDIR based on sensor data
Compatible to LCL-protected power bus

Key features

Primary power bus: 22 V to 38 V
Discrete TM: Unit health status, unit temperature Dual-UART interface, RS-422 type
3 sensor signals processed per motor (or fed through) 2 feed-through lines per motor (100 V compliant)
1 connector per motor (DEM15S)
1 common control connector (OAM26P)
1 power & discrete control connector (DEM9P)
Start-up time: < 500 ms
Motor drive voltage: < 32 V
Motor current: < 1 A
Stepping rate: < 1000 steps/s
Standby power consumption: < 3 W
Motor driver efficiency: > 75%
Failure rate: < 350 FIT (Class 1 parts)

Flight heritage

Beyond Gravity has delivered more than 50 flight models of drive electronics to customers in Europe, USA, Middle East and Asia. Some example missions:

BepiColombo (ESA)
Meteosat Third Generation (ESA)
Geo-Kompsat-2A/B (KARI)
Kompsat-3 (KARI)
Metop-SG (ESA)
PLATO (ESA)
CO2M, ROSE-L, LSTM (Copernicus)
Harmony (ESA)
HERA (ESA)
Comet Interceptor (ESA/JAXA)
Ramses (ESA)

Distributors

All modules and units are designed, manufactured and sold by Beyond Gravity.

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Last updated: 2026-09-28

Beyond Gravity