cff-version: 1.2.0
title: >-
  VERTECS: A COTS-based payload interface board to enable
  next generation astronomical imaging payloads
message: >-
  If you use this software, please cite it using the
  metadata from this file.
type: software
authors:
  - given-names: Ezra
    family-names: Fielding
    email: fielding.ezra455@mail.kyutech.jp
    affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
    orcid: 'https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7936-0222'
  - given-names: Victor Hugo
    family-names: Schulz
    email: schulz.victor602@mail.kyutech.jp
    affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
  - email: chatar.keenan-alexsei240@mail.kyutech.jp
    given-names: Keenan Alexsei Aamir
    family-names: Chatar
    affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
    orcid: 'https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1542-4362'
  - given-names: Kei
    family-names: Sano
    email: sano.kei288@mail.kyutech.jp
    affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
  - given-names: Akitoshi
    family-names: Hanazawa
    email: hanazawa@mns.kyutech.ac.jp
    affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
identifiers:
  - type: doi
    value: 10.1117/12.3019471
    description: The DOI of the work.
repository-code: 'https://github.com/ezrafielding/vertecs-ccb'
url: >-
  https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/13101/3019471/VERTECS--A-COTS-based-payload-interface-board-to-enable/10.1117/12.3019471.short
abstract: >-
  Due to advances in observation and imaging technologies,
  modern astronomical satellites generate large volumes of
  data. This necessitates efficient onboard data processing
  and high-speed data downlink. Reflecting this trend is the
  Visible Extragalactic background RadiaTion Exploration by
  CubeSat (VERTECS) 6U Astronomical Nanosatellite. Designed
  for the observation of Extragalactic Background Light
  (EBL), this mission is expected to generate a substantial
  amount of image data, particularly within the confines of
  CubeSat capabilities. This paper introduces the VERTECS
  Camera Control Board (CCB), an open-source payload
  interface board leveraging Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS)
  components, with a Raspberry Pi Compute Module four at its
  core. The VERTECS CCB hardware and software have been
  designed from the ground up to serve as the sole interface
  between the VERTECS bus system and astronomical imaging
  payload, while providing compute capability not usually
  seen in nanosatellites of this class. Responsible for
  mission data processing, it will facilitate high-speed
  data transfer from the imaging payload via gigabit
  Ethernet, while also providing a high-bitrate serial
  connection to the payload x-band transmitter for mission
  data downlink. Additional interfaces for secondary
  payloads are provided via USB-C and standard 15-pin camera
  connectors. The Raspberry Pi embedded within the VERTECS
  CCB operates on a standard Linux distribution,
  streamlining the software development process. Beyond
  addressing the current mission's payload control and data
  handling requirements, the CCB sets the stage for future
  missions with heightened data demands. Furthermore, it
  supports the adoption of machine learning and other
  compute-intensive applications in orbit. This paper delves
  into the development of the VERTECS CCB, offering insights
  into the design and validation of this next-generation
  payload interface, to ensure that it can survive the
  rigors of space flight.
license: CERN-OHL-P-2.0
date-released: '2024-07-25'
preferred-citation:
  type: conference-paper
  authors:
    - given-names: Ezra
      family-names: Fielding
      email: fielding.ezra455@mail.kyutech.jp
      affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
      orcid: 'https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7936-0222'
    - given-names: Victor Hugo
      family-names: Schulz
      email: schulz.victor602@mail.kyutech.jp
      affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
    - email: chatar.keenan-alexsei240@mail.kyutech.jp
      given-names: Keenan Alexsei Aamir
      family-names: Chatar
      affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
      orcid: 'https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1542-4362'
    - given-names: Kei
      family-names: Sano
      email: sano.kei288@mail.kyutech.jp
      affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
    - given-names: Akitoshi
      family-names: Hanazawa
      email: hanazawa@mns.kyutech.ac.jp
      affiliation: Kyushu Institute of Technology
  title: >-
    VERTECS: A COTS-based payload interface board to enable
    next generation astronomical imaging payloads
  doi: 10.1117/12.3019471
  pages: 131010J
  year: '2024'
  conference:
    name: Software and Cyberinfrastructure for Astronomy VIII
    date-start: "2024-06-16"
    date-end: "2024-06-22"