01 Platform
MA61C is the intelligent data node that turns a satellite into a modular system: it recognises each subsystem, configures itself, and speaks whatever protocol the supplier chose.
At a glance
The detail
MA61C is not a standard. It is the layer that makes standards irrelevant to the integrator — one interface to the onboard computer, whichever supplier the subsystem came from.
The Multipurpose Adapter Generic Interface Connector is an intelligent, plug-and-play Command and Data Handling (C&DH) system. It integrates multiple subsystems with the satellite’s onboard software: AOCS sensors and actuators, communications, power, payloads.
It removes manual configuration and driver installation. MA61C adapts the interface and protocol standards of different suppliers to the onboard computer’s own standard, and lets several subsystems connect to one computer.
MA61C holds a database of drivers. That enables device recognition, self-configuration and driver installation. It scans connections, detects incoming data, routes and converts it between interfaces, monitors the bus and forwards it over USB.
The core is a GR712RC dual-core LEON3-FT SPARC V8 processor with multiple bidirectional interfaces and an oscillator-based timer. 64 Mbit of SRAM and 64 Mbit of FLASH hold the onboard software, drivers and data.
An API commands and monitors units connected to the onboard computer or, over USB, to a PC. The package includes a Windows GUI for monitoring and commanding connected subsystems without writing code.
The MA61C adapter, a USB stick with the Windows API and GUI, and the manuals.
Choose your version
Connect every subsystem in a plug-and-play fashion through the interfaces your platform already uses — without losing time or money on integration.
A command and data handling unit that can also host the onboard software.
Every interface connects through the PC/104 standard. Integrate with MA61C and you streamline the whole CubeSat lifecycle — design, supply chain, system integration — and shorten the path to space.
The same plug-and-play core, built for larger platforms and MIL-STD-1553 buses.
MA61C SmallSat carries the interface set small satellites actually use, with the same embedded driver database and self-configuration behaviour as the CubeSat unit.
Intelligent plug and play for a cPCI serial space processing unit.
SPiN is one of the first companies to build a commercial product for cPCI serial space — the backplane chosen by ESA and the European Commission as the next generation for upcoming Copernicus missions.
In the box
The MA61C package ships with a Windows API and graphical interface for commanding and monitoring connected subsystems. Write software against the API, or use the GUI on the bench.
Next step
Tell us what you are building. We will tell you which MA61C variant fits, what it changes in your schedule, and where the integration work actually goes.