Altium technology used in Europe's space program
"The flexible and intuitive features of Altium Designer allow us to create complex custom designs more quickly. For those who have not upgraded to Altium Designer, they are really missing out on a fantastic product."
- Mattias Ericson
Engineer, Omnisys Instruments
The need
In 1993 custom electronic design house Omnisys became engaged in the sequential development of several major projects for Europe’s scientific and space industry, ranging from ultra-reliable satellite power supply units to autocorrelation spectrometers. These complex designs incorporate advanced analog, microwave, ASIC, Multi Chip Modules and power electronics, and demand exceptional capabilities from both the Omnisys engineers and the design tools they use. To complete these projects and establish a company reputation as an innovative, versatile design house, Omnisys selected a range of advanced tools including Altium software for their electronic design tasks.
The challenge
Omnisys has designed and produced two different subsystems for the scientific satellite ODIN which was launched in February 2001. In developing ODIN’s unique Spectrometer and Phase Locked Loop (PLL) modules, Omnisys needed to create highly sophisticated multilayer boards featuring complex microwave and digital designs. ODIN’s ability as a space observatory in the sub-millimetre spectrum has no equivalent on earth, compelling Omnisys to create a truly unique scientific instrument.
Unique design challenges was also a feature of the Omnisys work with the Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) for Europe’s SMART-1 spacecraft, launched in 2003. This ultra-compact, high-reliability 2700W design is based on 25 PCBs, and could only be constructed from a limited selection of certified components.
The solution
Omnisys chose Altium Designer electronic design software to meet their need for a flexible but powerful tool for these demanding space hardware projects. Altium Designer’s advanced multilayer capabilities allowed the Omnisys engineers to create the dense, highly-complex microwave boards that would meet the required performance targets, while flexibility of Altium Designer's built-in functions was ideal for the design of these unique specialised projects.
Along with Altium Designer’s performance capabilities Omnisys also appreciated the software’s ease of use, which enabled their engineers to design complex projects while meeting critical design schedules. Protel was initially selected to meet these needs in 1993, but Omnisys has progressively upgraded to all subsequent releases and is particularly impressed with the capabilities of Altium Designer.
The results
Since the ODIN space observatory’s launch in 2001, its complex scientific analysis systems have studied unexplored wavelengths of star formations plus the mechanisms behind the Earth’s depleted ozone layer. ODIN’s exceptional reliability has prompted an extension of its working life leading to a bonus stream of data for scientists. Similarly, the flawless performance of SMART-1 has extended its useable life for a further year. SMART-1 is currently orbiting the moon, but will ultimately meet its end by crashing into the lunar surface. The spectacular success of these projects and the part played by Altium Designer has established Omnisys as a market leader in its field. The flexible, efficient nature of Omnisys allows it to quickly create custom high-technology projects that even large companies would struggle with.
Product information
The main mission objective of the SMART-1 probe is the test of solar electric propulsion for future deep space missions. Power is provided by a large solar array with almost 2 kW of initial power using highly efficient triple-junction cells and a 220 Ah Li-ion battery. The critical task of controlling and distributing this power is handled by the PCDU system designed and produced by Omnisys. Weighing in at 12.3 kg, this unit is based on a modified S3R concept and regulates a 50 V bus to 41 consumers, including one 1500 W electric propulsion unit.
The Odin scientific satellite’s primary payload consists of a very sensitive radio receiver with five bands between 100-600 GHz, using cryogenically cooled receivers. To build the Spectrometers and Phase Locked Loop (PLL) modules, Omnisys developed analog and digital full custom ASIC’s and several embedded computers.
Customer Information
Omnisys Instruments is considered a market leader in the field of custom-built scientific instruments and hardware for space missions. Based in Sweden and founded in 1992, the company has been mainly engaged in custom design projects incorporating advanced analog, microwave and power electronics.
Omnisys operates an advanced design facility equipped with a large number of modern CAE tools for analog, microwave and digital design, plus a matching production and test facility.
For more information visit www.omnisys.se