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TOmCAT - Aerospace communications

Unlocking terabit laser communication with TOmCAT, TNO, Demcon and QBayLogic.

In a world ever more reliant on digital communication, the need for higher bandwidth in ground/satellite communications is critical. As part of ESA’s Terabit Optical Communication Adaptive Terminal project (TOmCAT), TNO and Demcon faced the challenge of capturing images at very high frame rates (5000 fps) and processing every image with a very low latency (< 3μs). This required a solution beyond the capabilities of a standard microcontroller or DSP.

The challenge

In response, QBayLogic contributed by developing an RTL design capable of efficiently processing these image streams on an FPGA. Optical communication using high energy laser beams encounters signal deformation based on the medium it traverses, in this case: the Earth’s atmosphere.

To offset this deformation, TOmCAT continuously measures and compensates for it, a process that demands precise timing. A receiver must complete processing an incoming sample within 3μs of the image sensor sending the image. This tight deadline, combined with the fact that this task was but one of many in a well-orchestrated pipeline, made a microcontroller or DSP based solution infeasible; hence, the FPGA solution.

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Christiaan Baaij, PhD

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The Solution

We began by translating the problem into its most basic form: a mathematical specification describing operations on a matrix representing an image. We then transformed this specification into an executable model using Clash, our software-to-hardware compiler. Step by step, we adapted the model to align with the target device’s characteristics and the incoming data’s format.

Clash enabled us to design the model, all its intermediate stages, and the final result in the same language, streamlining the process and minimizing the potential for errors.

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The deliverables

Clash made it possible for us to seamlessly generate traditional HDL files from our optimized design, ensuring timely and accurate integration. And, of course, a well-crafted design’s effectiveness hinges on its integration with existing designs and languages.

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Why QBayLogic?

At QBayLogic, we specialize in designing FPGA architectures for accelerators using a model-based methodology. Our expertise made us the ideal partner to develop the Register-Transfer Level (RTL) design capable of processing high-bandwidth streams on an FPGA, a crucial component of the TOmCAT project. Our approach not only ensured timely delivery and last-but-not least also contributed to the advancement of ground/satellite communication technology.

For more information on the TOmCAT project, visit ESA’s website. Applications where the applied expertise would also fit: