SYRLINKS RELEASES N-CUBE, A NEW GENERATION OF GNSS SDR PAYLOAD

Syrlinks, a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense, has released N-CUBE, a new generation of GNSS Software Defined Radio payload to address LEO-PNT applications. This payload is particularly suitable for nanosatellites and satellite cubes operating in low orbit (LEO, for Low Earth Orbit).

N-CUBE comes as a unique solution that combines a high-performance GNSS receiver, a GNSS signal processor and an RF output stage. The receiver and the processor implement the latest state-of-the-art positioning and synchronization techniques, to reach top-class performance for real-time Precise Onboard Orbit Determination (P2OD) and accurate time synchronization. The embedded RF output stage is used to retransmit a GNSS signal from the LEO orbit to the ground and to ensure LEOPNT service coverage.

N-CUBE inherits from more than 10 years of Syrlinks’ experience in the GNSS domain and has been jointly designed with CNES (The French Space Agency). N-CUBE can synchronize from different GNSS systems including GPS, GALILEO and BEIDOU. In terms of positioning, N-CUBE provides accuracy better than 0.3 meters, thanks to a unique algorithm (referenced as «Bolero») developed by CNES.

Its Software-Defined-Radio (SDR) core architecture brings maximum flexibility and enables the implementation of specific software-based processing to address a wide range of applications. The retransmit signal can be fully adapted for the application. It could use the GNSS bands or other bands such as S-Band as requested. The product is versatile and can be configured as needed to meet all LEO-PNT applications.

The product design belongs to the Syrlinks “New Space III” product category. This Product Assurance subclass perfectly meets the requirements of Nano/CubeSat missions, targeting a typical 2/5-year lifetime at Low Earth Orbit with a maximum total ionized radiation dose of 12 krad.