Level Zero Processor

About Level Zero Processor

The Level Zero Processor (LZP) Software provides level-0 processing functions required to extract telemetry (TM) frames, TM packets and/or files from a RAW binary acquired data stream stored on disk. Most commonly the data is received via a satellite RF or Bypass link, either during AIT or Operational phases. The LZP is comprised of a powerful software framework of processes that can operate in parallel to achieve high bitrate throughputs more than 2Gbps.

EGSE Software

The LZP is a data-driven system that implements data processing (CADU/SP/File levels), checking, statistical presentation and reporting based on input data files, which in the architecture of the system can be read directly from a local or remote shared (CIFS or NFS) drives. The output is nominally sorted and stored to local disk.

Level Zero Processor LZP flow chart Celestia-STS C-STS

Additionally, in case the frames are encrypted the LZP supports an interface ‘hook’ to connect local customer furnished software or an external system (using Ethernet) to decrypt/decipher the data, either on frame or packet level. Standard deciphering libraries are also supported with the Level Zero Processor, such as AES-128 and AES-256.

Level Zero Processor Packet Statistical Window

The LZP software tightly integrates with the Celestia-STS product portfolio, such as the Parallel LVDS and WizardLink Front-End and well as modem products.

LZP VCDU Packet Checking Rules Window

Key Features

  • Ingestion of data directly from the local disk drive or shared (CIFS or NFS) network drives
  • User Configurable Frame and/or Packet Output Data storage and organisation rules
  • User Configurable Frame and/or Packet Checking Rules
  • Real-time Frame and/or Packet distribution via LAN
  • Real-time statistical analysis, error checking and reporting
  • Reporting of processing results using XML files
  • Data Processing via ‘task’ files in inbox directory (XML or INI format)
  • Configuration of the automatic Disk Cleanup functions.
  • Provision of local Graphical User Interface to control and monitor the LZP
  • Remote interfacing support (such as EDEN, C&C, etc.)
  • Processing performance up to 2Gbps (125MByte/s)
  • The Level Zero Processor is designed against the following standards/recommendations

Processing of TM data from bitstream to Frame and Packet level (or intermediate):

  • Data Ambiguity Resolving (BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK)
  • Programmable Frame Synchronization (1-8 bytes, bit masking, sync/unsync thresholds)
  • Convolutional Decoder (1/2 rate, incl puncturing)
  • Arbitrary length VCDUs / CADUs (length in bits)
  • De-randomizer (ECSS/CCSDS and Custom)
  • RS detection/correction (RS [255,223] and [255,239], Interleave Depths 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 8 and Virtual Fill)
  • Local or Remote Frame or Packet Deciphering (such as AES-256)
  • AES256/128 Decryption (standard supported modes are OFB, CTR, CCM and GCM)
  • CFDP Class 1 (unacknowledged) and 2 (acknowledged) processing

The Level Zero Processor is designed against the following standards/recommendations

  • Telemetry Synchronization and Channel Coding, ECSS-E-50-01C
  • TM Synchronisation and Channel Coding, CCSDS-131.0
  • TM Space Data Link Protocol, CCSDS-132.0
  • Space Packet Protocol, CCSDS-133.0
  • AOS Space Data Link Protocol, CCSDS-732.0
  • Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), FIPS PUB 197
  • Block Cipher Modes of Operation, 800-38A
  • CCSDS File Delivery Protocol, CCSDS 727.0-B5

Equipment Details

The software is a Microsoft Windows application and runs on recent MS Windows Server editions. The advised minimum requirements for the host computer are 32GB of RAM and a multi-core CPU (e.g. Intel Xeon, Intel Core i7) together with a 1TB SDD for data storage.

Information, specs & downloads

Download Level Zero Processor brochure:

Heritage

Celestia STS has delivered systems with LZP processing facilities for more than 20 years for major European prime contractors such as Airbus Defence and Space, Thales-Alenia, OHB, SSTL to support both ESA and non-ESA spacecraft missions, including among others ALOS, MetOp, Copernicus programs, EarthCARE, APOGEE, SeoSAT, CRISTAL, LSTM, Harmony, FORUM and various commercial satellites/ground stations.