The MPIP typically is connected directly to the spacecraft sub-system via the harness and is used to test and/or simulate various electrical and data interfaces of the flight sub-systems e.g. On-Board Computers (OBC), Power Conditioning units (PCDU), Instrument Control Units (ICU) and any other payload or platform elements.
Multi-Purpose Interface Platform
The Multi-Purpose Interface Platform (MPIP) is a modular, scalable electrical ground support equipment (EGSE) that enables space equipment builders and integrators to test and simulate spacecraft electrical and data interfaces in a fast, flexible and cost-efficient manner.
Key Features
- 3U 19″ rack mountable or tabletop chassis (up/down scaled versions available in 4U and 2U)
- Supports up to 16 interface modules of any type and combination
- Fully equipped unit supports more than 400x channels
- Discrete, TM/TC, Power and Digital Data Interfaces (≤800Mbps)
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports for Control and Data via TCP/IP (RJ45)
- PPS/Trigger output for synchronization of external equipment
- 2x External Time inputs, such as PPS and IRIG
- 19+ Different pluggable module types available
- Up to two (2) different bus voltage inputs for LCL and Heater interfaces (up to 105V)
- All interfaces towards unit under test (UUT) are galvanically isolated
- FMEA Report available for all interface modules
- Fully compliant interfaces with ESA/ECSS standards
Equipment Details
The MPIP product is a rack-mount or tabletop 19″ unit which supports up to 16 interface modules fitted in the backplane. Each module represents dedicated electrical interface types (power, discrete, TM/TC, etc.) and is designed in a 3U Eurocard size form factor. Each MPIP mainframe is equipped with controller module (MCM) which is the control and status gateway between the MPIP interface modules and the operator (i.e. GUI running on a User Workstation). In addition, MCM module includes isolated interface circuitry for medium data rate applications (up to 800Mbps). Hence the MCM can also act as an interface module providing for example, standard and custom RS422/RS485/LVDS interfaces as well as SpaceWire, SERDES and Parallel/Serial LVDS.
Modularity of MPIP allows to combine a large variety of different interface types into a single platform and scale it up or down. A fully populated MPIP unit can provide over 400 ECSS compliant electrical interfaces. For small systems, the interface modules can be mounted horizontally in such case providing a total of up to 6 slots within a 2U height.
MPIP Controller Module (incl. 4 x SpaceWire Interfaces)
The MPIP Controller Module can be expanded with up to two (2) extension boards. These provide various interface types, such a SpaceWire, SERDES and Parallel LVDS and custom implemented. Science data as transmitted or received via the interfaces are exchanged with the back-end via a dedicated 1Gbit ethernet port using in hardware implemented TCP/IP.
Information, specs & downloads
Download MPIP Brochure:
MPIP Product video
Available modules
The MPIP modules below are currently available. Click the module name for more information about the specific module.
| Module | Function/Protocol |
|---|---|
| MPIP Controller Module (MCM) | Custom Digital Interface (RS422/LVDS), TM/TC(RS422/LVDS), SpaceWire(LVDS), SERDES (LVDS) |
| MPIP SpaceWire Extension Plug-on board (SpW) | MCM module with SpaceWire (SpW) Extension |
| Power Interface Module (PIM) | (Heater) Latching Current Limiter |
| Digital to Analog Converter Module (DAC) | Analogue Signal/Bi-Level Discrete Monitor Simulation |
| Analog to Digital Converter Module (ADC) | Analogue Signal/Bi-Level Discrete/Temperature/Bi-Level Switch Monitor Acquisition |
| Switched Resistor Module (SRM) | Thermistor sensor monitor/Bi-Level switch Monitor/Low-Power Command (LPC) Simulation |
| Power Command Simulator Module (PCS) | High-Power Command (HPC) Simulation |
| Power Command Acquisition Module (PCA) | High/Low Power Command (HPC/LPC) Acquisition |
| Power Switch Module (PSM) | Heater Latching Current Limiter |
| Second Level Protection Module (SLP) | Second Level Protection |
See the MPIP brochure for more information.