Key highlights

Payload Controller is a dedicated subsystem that serves as the interface between the satellite’s payload and its data storage unit in micro- and nano-satellite platforms. It supports multiple electrical interfaces, provides data buffering capabilities, and is fully compatible with S-band and X-band radio subsystems for efficient transmission of buffered data to ground stations.

Key features

PC 1.5 Features:

  • Clock speed up to 400 MHz (configurable), 200 MHz typical
  • 1 MB of internal RAM
  • 2 MB of internal FLASH memory
  • 512 kB of FMC-connected FRAM memory
  • 4 MB FMC-connected SRAM
  • 256 MB of external NOR-FLASH for data storage
  • 2×512 kB of FRAM (SPI) for frequently changing data storage
  • Integrated TRC
  • Parallel NAND memory
  • Three On-Board PWM Controlled H-Bridges 
  • PWM Outputs
  • FreeRTOS
  • In-Orbit firmware update
  • Firmware Power-on-check and Restore
  • RFS – Redundant Record-based File System
  • CSP Support
  • Self-Diagnostics
  • Dynamic CPU Frequency Control
  • User-friendly Console 

Payload Interfaces:

  • 100BASE-TX Ethernet Port
  • CAN Interface
  • 2×RS422 (on request interchangeable with RS485)
  • 3×Buffered SPI
  • 2×Buffered USART/UART
  • 2×I2C 

PC 2.0 Features: 

  • FPGA with SoC family device featuring ARM processor
  • Maximum frequency 667 MHz
  • 74K Programmable Logic Cells
  • 256 KB on-chip RAM (processor) and 36 KB block RAM (programmable logic)
  • 32 MB of external NOR-FLASH for Boot (2× 16 MB chips, QSPI)
  • 32 GB of external NAND-FLASH (2× 16 GB chips, parallel interface)
  • 3 × 512KB of FRAM (SPI) for frequently changing data storage
  • 512MB of RAM (DDR3 with ECC)
  • PetaLinux operating system
  • UBIFS File System
  • In-Orbit firmware update
  • Firmware Power-on-check and restore
  • CSP Support
  • Self-Diagnostics
  • Dynamic CPU Frequency Control
  • User-friendly Console

Payload Interfaces:

  • Ethernet (with integrated magnetics)
  • CAN Interfaces
  • RS422/UART
  • SPI
  • UART (Debug)
  • I2C
  • USB 2.0
  • Up to 20 x LVDS
  • Up to 40 x GPIOs
  • Up to 5 x SpaceWire

Export control

Export Control Status: ITAR-free

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Last updated: 2025-07-23

Payload Controller 1.5 / 2.0

9TRL

MOQ: 5

Downloads

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  • Click here to add the Kongsberg NanoAvionics - Payload Controller 1.5 / 2.0 to the Valispace engineering tool from satsearch
  • Click here to add the Kongsberg NanoAvionics - Payload Controller 1.5 / 2.0 to Lynapse Studio by Spacebackend
  • Click here to add the Kongsberg NanoAvionics - Payload Controller 1.5 / 2.0 to 360 by IENAI

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