Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) was awarded Space Micro Inc.. contract for the supply of ten, Ka-band, Nanocom™ Software defined radio stations (SDR) in support of Space Development Agencyon (SDA) Tranche 0 satellite constellation – Nanocom recently passed the Critical Design Review (CDR) and Space Micro will deliver Lockheed Martin flight models by the end of this year.
Nanocom is a small form factor, fast to use, cost-effective, modular SDR, designed to work in hostile and extreme environmental conditions. Nanocom is programmable in orbit and is suitable for a variety of applications that include Telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) transceiver, mission data transmitter and Radio frequency (RF) receiver with built-in signal processing. Flexible SDR uses Xilinx‘s Zynq 7045 Chip system (SoC – Information sheet accessible via this direct link …), which combines double ARM Cortex A9 cores with 350,000 programmable logic cells capable of supporting various complex waveforms and algorithms. Nanocom transmits and receives at 20 and 30 MHz, respectively, with data rates up to 300 Mbps. Nanocom’s modular design allows Space Micro to easily change frequencies, data speeds, interfaces and overall functionality to meet specific mission requirements.
Software Defined Radios’ Space Micro product line includes several models: DRSDR-C™ is aimed at UHF, S-, L- and low C-band applications, while the more powerful Nanocom is focused on higher frequency, higher data speed and more intensive processor RF applications.
“Software-defined radios are key to offering the reprogrammability and mission flexibility that our customers require,” said Eric Dailer, Senior Director of Secure Communications, Lockheed Martin Space. “Space Micro’s Nanocom SDR is an exciting addition to our diverse team of suppliers. ”
“We are very happy to be selected for the 10 vehicles that Lockheed Martin is building for the SDA satellite constellation for their Ka-Band transceiver” said David Tchaikovsky, CEO of Space Micro. “Our decade of development of high-speed transceivers has led to the Nanocom product, which supports SDA’s challenging technical requirements with exceptional reliability, giving them a competitive advantage.. ”