Electronics for space research

Analogue electronics design: extremely clean signals and low power consumption

We design analogue (hardware) circuits, which are efficient and effective, within the complex system that a measuring instrument in space always is. New detectors for new science in space are incredibly sensitive. To avoid disturbing the weak or sophisticated signals we want to measure, we design special analogue circuits with extremely low noise. In addition, the electronics must also be very energy-efficient. Think of entire systems that need to operate on just the power of a small 10-watt LED lamp. We design, simulate and verify analogue circuits that meet all these specific requirements.

Digital electronics design: fast and smart processing

Besides analogue electronics, we also use digital logics in our space instruments in combination with fast signal processing. This allows us to filter out only the relevant data from the captured signals already in space, for transmission to Earth. We use the following areas of expertise to solve challenges with digital technology efficiently and effectively:

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
• Embedded Processing / System-On-Chip development
• Communication interfaces (SpaceWire, Ethernet)
• Control algorithms 

These technologies and techniques allow us to design complex digital circuits that capture, process, and transmit data quickly and accurately.

Test software: everything works as it should

Before SRON’s various space instruments actually go into space, the communication via the so-called satellite communication bus, the connection to and from the instrument, must also be thoroughly tested. To this end, we have developed special test software that simulates how a satellite communicates with the instrument. With this software, we can adjust the behaviour of the system, collect and analyse data. This assures us that the electronics are really ready to receive, process and get measurements to Earth safely and correctly.

Electronics Realisation: making electronic hardware

The Electronics Realisation group is responsible for designing printed circuit boards (PCBs) and the various electronic assembly tasks, such as mounting components on PCBs, manufacturing special cables and assembling test fixtures and cryogenic set-ups.

The PCBs are used, for example, in Front End Electronics or Housekeeping Electronics for a space instrument, in test fixtures or in antenna-coupled detector systems.

Our PCB designers use software (Mentor Graphics Xpedition) to make printed circuit boards properly meet all kinds of requirements: with higher reliability, fast signal processing, for radio frequency (RF), for example, operating at extremely cold (cryogenic) temperatures and with combinations of analogue and digital signals on one board.

Our certified assembly staff solder the PCBs, both manually and extremely controlled with our pick-and-place machine and Vapour Phase oven. They also attach parts such as chips and other sensitive components for space instruments and inspect the quality. All this is done in our clean rooms.

Besides soldering PCBs, Electronics Realisation colleagues build test fixtures, assemble special cables, and support designers with their hands-on experience so that there is a rock-solid link between instrument design and construction.