Implementation of CCSDS based imaging satellite packet processing unit on FPGA hardware

Consultative Committee for space data system (CCSDS) provides a procedures & methods to reliably and efficiently transfer Imaging satellite data to the Ground Station. The paper describes the implementation of CCSDS based On-Board packet processing unit system design on FPGA for Imaging Satellite. Packet processing unit formatted the incoming image data captured through imaging sensor along with identifiers like Image ID, Latitude, Longitude and ONAV. Variable length space packets with image data on its data field & Ancillary data on its secondary header field are generated according to the CCSDS defined format. Later, space packets are encapsulated in data field of fixed length TM Transfer frames data units. Idle packets are generated in the absence of incoming image data to provide synchronization with the RF modulator and transmitter. 8-Bits Parallel multiplexing Architecture is used for the design. The system is implemented on Virtex 5 LX-50T FPGA with utilizes the 487 Slices & the maximum throughput achieved as 1.9 Gbps.