Receive System for Multiple Payload Swarm (RSMPS)

Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 5)

Description

This proposed IRAD develops a core part of the communication system for the reception of data transmissions from small free flying payloads. In particular, this portion of the system will consist of the circuitry for the receiver, the automatic gain control (AGC), coarse and fine frequency compensation, demodulation, and data multiplexing for the main payload system. This development is a key part in the complete communication system which will include the main payload receiving system that will process the data transmissions for up to 48 instrumented sub payloads. The communication system will be used on suborbital platforms where telemetry on deployable free flying payloads is required.

The objective of the project is to a have a functional communication system; including filtering, AGC, coarse and fine frequency correction, data demodulation, and data pulse code modulation (PCM) multiplexing.

The innovative features of this project:

Development of a core part (main payload receiving system) of direct link communications between multiple payload bodies.
Currently, the small size of the deployables prevents the use of off the shelf components to be utilized and necessitates the need for a compact design to meet the specific form factor (Length = 5in, 3.4in Diameter).

At the completion of the IRAD, if awarded, the intent is to produce a printed circuit board (PCB) that will be used for the encoding (for this IRAD, a fixed data pattern will be used) and signal conditioning of the data as well as for the circuitry for the power amplifier (PA) and data handling unit.

Benefits

Health and status of chemical release deployable free flying payloads for upper atmosphere research
Alternative to downlinked data from individual experiment instruments on deployed sub payloads for plasma and high energy astrophysics science that would require additional Ground Station support assets

Details

Technology area	Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Radio Frequency
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA
Start date	2017-10-01
End date	2018-09-01

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Daniel A Mullinix — daniel.a.mullinix@nasa.gov
Michael G Hitch — michael.g.hitch@nasa.gov
Christian V Amey — christian.v.amey@nasa.gov
Brian H Banks — brian.h.banks@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.