NanoCom AX100 Datasheet - GOMspace

1 NanoCom AX100 . Datasheet Long-range software configurable VHF/UHF transceiver NanoCom AX100 Datasheet 12 August 2016. 1 Table of Contents 2 Changelog .. 4. 3 Overview .. 5. Highlighted 5. Block diagram .. 6. Functional description .. 6. Available ordering options .. 7. 4 Hardware layout, connectors and pin out .. 8. AX100 Top .. 8. J2 - Picoblade Connector .. 8. J3 - Picoblade USART (debug) Connector .. 8. J4 - MCX RF Connector .. 9. AX100 Bottom .. 10. J1 - FSI Main Connector .. 10. 5 Data Interface .. 11. I2C/TWI .. 11. KISS .. 11. CAN-BUS / CFP .. 12. 6 Debug Interface .. 12. 7 Absolute maximum ratings .. 12. 8 Electrical characteristics .. 13. 9 RF characteristics .. 13. Transmitter.

2 13. Narrow band TX spectrum .. 14. Output power vs. frequency .. 14. Receiver .. 15. Sensitivity .. 15. AFC performance .. 16. Wideband blocking performance (AX100U) .. 16. Narrow band blocking (AX100UL) .. 18. 10 Link Budget .. 20. Downlink .. 20. Uplink .. 21. 11 Environment Testing .. 22. RF qualification .. 22. 12 Application Notes .. 22. Antenna/Receiver Diversity Setup .. 22. GOMspace Ground 22. Redundant radios .. 23. 13 Physical Layout and Integration .. 24. EMI shield / Heat sink .. 24. PCB Description: bottom .. 24. PCB Description: Top .. 24. Motherboard mounting .. 25. 2016 GOMspace Aps 2. NanoCom AX100 Datasheet 12 August 2016. 14 Mechanical Drawing .. 27. 2016 GOMspace Aps 3.

3 NanoCom AX100 Datasheet 12 August 2016. 2 Changelog Date Revision Author Description 26/9-2014 JDC First release for HW revision 25/2-2015 JDC Added new 400 MHz option, clarify TX output power, Increase maximum input power rating 25/2-2015 JDC Updated feature list 27/2-2015 JDC Updated qualification table. Cleaned up pictures and page breaks. 9/3-2015 KLK Applied the new GOMspace layout and cleaned up text 20/4-2015 KLK GOMspace new front page 21/5-2015 JDC Updated linkbudget, added CAN bus 17/6-2015 JDC Increase absolute maximum current rating from to A. 5/8-2015 JDC Added adjustable tx power feature 6/11-2015 KLK Changed Environment Testing chapter 7/12-2015 JDC/KLK Added VHF qualification data and minor text and drawing improvements.

4 12/1-2016 KLK Text review and rewrite chapter 12. 9/3-2016 KLK Minor text changes and temperature ranges change. 12-8-2016 KLK Minor text changes 2016 GOMspace Aps 4. NanoCom AX100 Datasheet 12 August 2016. 3 Overview The NanoCom AX100 ( AX100 ) is a half-duplex software configurable radio transceiver specifically designed for long-range transmissions. The combination of forward error correction, AFC and digital filters results in a high sensitivity system, without sacrificing flexibility. The radio module supports full on-orbit reconfiguration of the frequency, bitrate, filter-bandwidth, and modulation type. Smart CSMA/CA (listen before talk) medium access control combined with a small RX/TX.

5 Switching duration gives a short satellite ping time, thus effectively removing the need for full- duplex radios, even for high volume data download. In turn this simplifies satellite design, because only a single antenna is required. The integrated design of microcontroller, transmitter, receiver, LNA and power amplifier results in a small PCB module that fits up to four times onto a CubeSat PCB. Multiple hardware components are reused from the NanoCom U482C, including the PA, DC-DC converter, RX/TX switch, microcontroller, oscillators, and RAM memory. Highlighted Features Advanced high performance narrow-band transceiver for UHF and VHF. FSK/MSK/GFSK/GMSK. Data rates from kbps to kbps Class leading sensitivity down to 137 dBm at 100 bps with FEC.

6 RF carrier frequency and FSK deviation programmable in 1 Hz steps Automatic frequency control (AFC). Transmitter with adjustable 24 to 30 dBm output power at > 45 % PAE. RF parameters are fully configurable on-orbit. carrier frequency, filter bandwidths, baud rate, framing etc. can be altered on the go. Frame encapsulation: o 32-bit ASM + Golay encoded variable length field. o HDLC and AX25 available for legacy systems o HDLC with r k=7 viterbi encoding o Framing options: o Reed Solomon FEC (223,255). o CRC32. o CCSDS Randomization o HMAC (authentication). Multiple CSP data interfaces: I2C, UART, CAN-Bus 32 kB FRAM for persistent configuration storage RTC clock Adjustable over-temperature protection High-efficiency buck-converter for transmitter supply Compact daughter-board form-factor (compatible with GOMspace CubeSat motherboard).

7 Operational temperature: -30 C to +85 C. Dimensions: 65 mm x 40 mm x mm Mass: gram 20-position hard-gold plated FSI one-piece connector UART/GOSH console interface for easy use in lab setup MCX antenna connector Integrated heat sink (also works as EMI shield). PCB material: Glass/Polyimide 4+4 twin stack ESA ECSS-Q-ST-70-11-C. IPC-A-610 Class 3 assembly 2016 GOMspace Aps 5. NanoCom AX100 Datasheet 12 August 2016. Block diagram V V. Buck Converter I2C. Transmitter PA. CAN RX/TX ANT. Microcontroller TCXO. switch USART. Receiver LNA. GOSH (USART). The Microcontroller has three satellite bus connections; it can use I2C, CAN-BUS or USART. Furthermore it has a separate USART for the GOSH debugging console.

8 Finally the RF connector is a single SMA 50 for both RX and TX. Functional description The design is built around proven components; the PA, LNA, TCXO and RX/TX switch are proven components from previous GOMspace products. The microprocessor is a new variant of a formerly proven processor, which now features the CAN-BUS interface too. The RF frequency generation subsystem consists of a fully integrated synthesizer, which multiplies the reference frequency from the crystal oscillator to get the desired RF frequency. The advanced architecture of the synthesizer enables frequency resolutions of 1 Hz, as well as fast settling times of 5 50 s. Fast settling times mean fast start-up and fast RX/TX switching, enabling low-power system design.

9 The Power Amplifier is a two stage 25 dB gain with a maximum output of 33 dBm (derated to 30. dBm). A temperature sensor has been placed very close to the PA to prevent the system from overheating. A software programmable max temperature can be set, at which point the microcontroller will immediately shut down the transmitter. The heat from the power amplifier is spread through several layers of ground plane and through an aluminum heat sink, which also doubles as an EMI shield. The LNA is a medium gain monolithic amplifier with a low noise figure (~1dB) selected for its simplicity and stability. 2016 GOMspace Aps 6. NanoCom AX100 Datasheet 12 August 2016. The RX/TX switch is rated for 5 W and is robust enough to handle a severe antenna mismatch, for example if the antenna cable is not inserted while powering on the amplifier.

10 This is of course hypothetical and should not be done with flight hardware. The TCXO has a frequency stability of +/- ppm over the entire temperature range, and removes the need to do frequency-offset calibration after satellite deployment. The built-in AFC will correct for any minor frequency variations up to +/- one quarter of the receiver bandwidth. Available ordering options The AX100 comes in several variants a U for UHF, UL for UHF-Low and V for VHF. The difference is in the RF match and output filters used. Variant Description AX100U UHF 430-440 MHz AX100UL UHF-Low 395-405 MHz (except MHz)1. AX100V VHF 140-150 MHz (except Mhz). Other variants can be produced on request. 1. The hole in the range is caused by intermodulation with the reference XTAL and will cause spurs if selected closer than 500 khz to a multiple of MHz 2016 GOMspace Aps 7.