WizardLink Front-End

About WizardLink Front-End

The WizardLink Front-End provides high-speed serial interfaces to spacecraft flight equipment. The Front-End is used during spacecraft assembly, integration and test phase to test and validate satellite flight equipment.

Typically, the Front-End connects to a Payload, Mass Memory Unit, Laser Communication Terminal or RF Transponders and operates as a data source (transmit), data sink (receiver) or both at the same time.

wizardlink front-end unit Celestia-STS C-STS frontside 3D

wizardlink frontend unit Celestia-STS C-STS frontside

Wizardlink front-end unit Celestia-STS C-STS back 3D

Wizardlink front-end unit Celestia-STS C-STS back

Key Features

Up to 4 WizardLink Channels in Parallel
Up to a data rate of 2Gbps per channel in each direction
Channels are implemented using Texas Instruments TLK2711-SP or TLK2711A Chipset (100% compatible with TLK2711-SP)
TLK Chipset Clock Programmable between 80 and 125MHz in 1Hz steps
On-The-Fly User Protocol Customisation using K-Codes
Data-Only or RAW (K- and D-Codes) modes recording supported
Hardware timestamping (CUC) of received data (synchronised to PPS or IRIG)
All WizardLink I/O’s to/from the Unit Under Test (UUT) are electrically isolated
All WizardLink I/O’s provide fail-safe in- and outputs protecting transceivers in power-off state
Optional LVDS Flow Control (TIA/EIA-644-A Compliant) for all WizardLink channels supported
Gigabit LAN for Control and Monitoring via TCP/IP (using RJ45)
10Gbit LAN for Data Streaming via TCP/IP (using SFP+)
Provided with software to control and archive the data
FMEA Report Available

Equipment Details

The WizardLink Front-End is a 19″ 2U rack-mountable electronic ground support equipment (EGSE) unit designed for space system development and testing. Controlled and monitored via a software interface, it supports both stand-alone operation and remote control through a Central Check-Out System (CCS), offering flexible deployment in test environments.

Supporting up to four (4) WizardLink channels in parallel, the WizardLink Front-End interfaces directly with the Unit Under Test (UUT) using differential Voltage Mode Logic (VML). On the host side, it exchanges user data over a high-speed 10Gbit TCP/IP streaming interface, ensuring efficient and reliable communication.

The WizardLink Front-End enables transmission and reception of a wide range of data formats, including CCSDS Frames and Packets, to and from any source. Recorded data from active channels is offloaded via a standard 10Gbit TCP/IP interface to a commercial server platform, with storage to disk and vice versa. The system supports both copper and optical Ethernet connections, enabling data transport over distances of 300 meters or more between the front-end and back-end.
With integrated fail-safe protection for transceivers in their power-off state, the WizardLink Front-End ensures satellite-level fault voltage emission limits and tolerance levels—ensuring reliable performance in mission-critical environments. The WizardLink Front-End supports the SpaceFibre protocol, in compliance with ECSS-E-ST-50-11C.

Information, specs & downloads

Download WizardLink Brochure:

Heritage

Now in its third generation, the WizardLink Front-End was introduced in Q4 2018, following the original release of the WizardLink EGSE in 2009. Earlier generations have been used in a wide range of ESA and commercial programs, including Sentinel-1, and have been delivered to leading European aerospace primes such as Airbus and Thales Alenia Space. The platform has consistently demonstrated dependable performance in demanding ground-based test and integration environment.