The main technical objectives of this picoRTU system is to provide distributed intelligent remote terminal unit system, that has ability to have adaptable radiation tolerance. Means that the same functionality can be provided, but with radiation upscaled to RadHard version of components. Another important objective is to provide a common remote terminal interface, over a standardized protocol. The key advantage of a distributed system, by utilization of PicoSkyFT processor is to achieve highly modular and scalable RTU system.

ESA’s Technical Dossier on Data Systems and On-board Computers roadmap identifies trend going towards increasing the modularity level implemented at the individual equipment supplier. Modularity on suppliers’ RTU product portfolio is something that we often already see these days. Main issue with this approach is that each manufacturer wants to bound usage of its RTUs equipment by incorporating it into avionics stack, like OBC/CMDU, TM/TC, etc. The picoRTU system is an independent interoperable RTU system, that follows standardized way of communication via remote terminal interface, while providing high modularity on system level.

The picoRTU system - Preliminary design is a continuation of picoRTU-Demonstrator PECS activity, which showed the applicability of modular RTU system approach in a distributed architectural concept. In the picoRTU system - Preliminary design activity in the first phase technical requirement specifications has been defined system-wise and consolidated with ESA. Mainly following SAVOIR RTU specification, while adding the novel functionality of picoRTU system. Further one, the picoRTU system architecture has been in detailed analysed, traded off and finally defined, while several critical functions tested and proven. At the PDR a high design maturity has been reached, that further enables continuation in the potential critical design phase.

The benefit of the picoRTU system offers satellite integrators much faster deployment of equipment into the S/C and its verifications. Its modular design offers to easily cope with various interfaces requirements, also in later stages of S/C development, with basically not NRE involved. The picoRTU software is only parametrised accordingly in no delta-qualification or re-verification is needed.