Increasing the capability of CubeSat-based software-defined radio applications

CubeSats are highly accessible as Earth orbiting platforms due to their low costs of development and launch when compared to traditional small satellites. This accessibility, combined with a commensurately short development timeline, can be attributed to the use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology. However, COTS components typically have limited inherent resilience to the space environment. As such, CubeSat usage has largely been limited to experiments or applications where high availability is not required. Several technologies are enablers for increased CubeSat performance in the environment of space. Dependable Multiprocessor (DM) technology has demonstrated the capability for high system availability and reliability with COTS processors in a space environment. DM opens many possibilities for high performance, low cost processing in space, supporting technologies such as advanced software defined radios (SDR). SDR technology allows for on-orbit reconfigurability of data management, protocols, multiple access methods, waveforms, and data protection. This paper explores how these enabling technologies hold promise for increasing the availability and capability of CubeSats, allowing CubeSats to be used in advanced applications often associated with military and commercial operations.