SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO
VILSA SDR
EmTroniX VILSA SDR is a versatile fully reconfigurable Software Defined Radio, using a high-performance flexible digital core with massive memory and a fully synchronous multi-channel RF frontend, up to 6Rx, up to 4TX and 2LO.
EmTroniX Versatile Platform – VILSA:
Versatile Integrated Logic for Software-defined Architecture
Versatile
EmTroniX next-generation software-defined platform – VILSA, short for Villsäiteg (versatile in Luxembourgish) – reflects both the adaptability of the platform and our Luxembourg heritage in advanced space electronics. Purpose-engineered for harsh space conditions while keeping cost efficiency in mind, VILSA SDR combines resilience with flexibility. Its modular design empowers you to configure the system precisely to your mission.
Powerful
At the heart of the VILSA platform is the advanced Zynq® Ultrascale+ System on Chip (SoC), enabling rapid, reliable data processing and reconfiguring the system even while in flight. This software-driven approach means you can upgrade or adapt your capabilities without hardware changes, saving time and costs throughout your mission’s lifecycle.
Fast
With a generous mass memory (>256 GB of fast NAND flash), your mission data is securely stored and ready for processing or transmission back to Earth. The VILSA Platform’s robust memory ensures efficient handling of high data rates and demanding payload requirements.
Modular
The main processing board is powered by the Zynq® SoC. Paired with an additional communication board, it supports standard interfaces such as CAN, I²C, RS422, and 1PPS, as well as high-speed connections like Gigabit Ethernet and SpaceWire.
Depending on the need of RF channels, high-speed interface, EmTroniX VILSA platform allows to select the tailored configuration of boards in phase with your needs. Two modular boards include synchronous multi-channel AD/DA converters, clock generation parts and RF chains to offer up to six receiver channels and up to four transmitter channels. The fully synchronous clock tree features a core oscillator that can be disciplined by an external reference, e.g. a GNSS Receiver. Each Rx channel supports programmable direct sampling as well as internal frequency down conversion stages. This flexible architecture, capable of operating in half or full duplex, allows connection to a wide variety of RF front-ends—covering VHF, UHF, L-band, S-band, and C-band, up to X-band.
Our cost-effective and highly reliable SDR (Software Defined Radio) is designed and produced to handle extreme space conditions.
Its modular design allows the product to be customizable according to the customer needs in terms of operation frequency, signal bandwidth, sample rate, connectors and mechanics.
The product design and component selection has been made to achieve high speed and powerful data processing as well as being in-flight re-configurable.
SDR KEY FEATURES
- Powerful data processing Zynq UltraScale+ with latch-up protected design.
- Triple redundant configuration memories for different applications in addition to a radiation tolerant Golden config memory.
- User volatile and non-volatile mass memory (eMMC, NAND and DDR4).
- Low Phase Noise reference oscillator that can be GNSS disciplined. Fully synchronous clocks for ADC and DAC.
- Flexible design with 4 modular versatile boards.
- Advanced design allowing reliable in-flight re-configuration.
- Vin +10.8V to +33.6V Bus voltage compatible, allowing to be connected directly to battery bus voltage or behind stabilized PSU.
- Fully shielded and ruggedized enclosure.
- Reliable product with risk acceptance of a 5-year lifetime.
- Embedded supervision system to ensure robust operation.
Our SDR technology is currently used on the HERA planetary mission on the Juventas spacecraft, on its way to asteroid Dydimos. It is the heart of the low frequency radar that will map the asteroid.
More missions to be announced!
CUSTOMISATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Flexible architecture, allowing to connect virtually any type of RF front-end.
POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT:
- Engineering model for qualification or test
- Affordable cost model for qualification or test
- Flight model for final delivery
- S-Band full duplex transceiver, including SSPA (up to 36 dBm)
- X-Band transmitter, including SSPA (up to 40 dBm)
This approach also allows the system to be used for non-space applications.