Grants and Contributions

Aerospace designers often use software that simulates complex electronic systems to evaluate the performance of different architectures and to refine software and hardware early in the development stage.

Heterogeneous computing systems (systems using more than one type of processor) offer advantages over homogenous systems in terms of speed and agility in processing, but aerospace simulation software has not yet been designed for computing systems with more than one processor. Space Codesign Systems proposes to develop a heterogeneous computing platform which will allow aerospace designers to more easily and efficiently design models of complex electronic systems, including those with embedded systems.

Space-based laser communication technologies offer significant reductions in size, mass and power compared to other space-based telecommunications technology, while increasing the capacity for high-speed, data-rich transmissions. This means that incredibly data-intensive payloads can be flown on even smaller spacecraft.

Neptec will develop a prototype of a low-Earth-orbit-to-ground optical communication pointing and tracking subsystem. The prototype will provide critical insight into technical unknowns required to develop future designs for the spacecraft needing an optical communications system (called a space optical terminal) and for future Canadian Space Agency science satellite projects.

Radiation prediction, monitoring, and protection technologies are a key part of all space missions. The construction of radiation detectors for long-duration exploration missions presents particular challenges because of stringent size, weight and power requirements.

The proposed work aims to assess silicon photomultipliers as an enabling technology for miniaturized radiation spectrometers. These silicon devices have the potential to replace traditional, bulky photomultiplier tubes, significantly reducing the size and power consumption of radiation-detection instrumentation with little or no loss of performance when compared to traditional photomultiplier tubes. Potential applications of this technology include exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, stratospheric balloon flights, and small satellite missions, as well as use in terrestrial fields such as homeland security, law enforcement and health physics.

Actuators transform electrical energy into mechanical energy to move and control mobile devices. Magnetorheological (MR) actuation is a unique technology with exceptional dynamic performance thanks to the MR fluid's viscosity that increases when exposed to a magnetic field, almost to the point of becoming solid. Actuators using MR fluids present characteristics making them very interesting for use in space compared to other types of actuators: increased performance, lower mass and more safety when used for applications involving human-robot interactions.

Exonetik proposes to study the feasibility of using MR actuators in inhabited space environments for future space missions. More specifically, the work will consist in assessing the most critical risks of using MR actuators in space environments: launch vibrations, in-use outgassing, and safety of use. The biggest technological unknown lies around outgassing. Conventional off-the-shelf MR fluids use hydrocarbon-based oils and are known to outgas significantly in some operating conditions. The working hypothesis is that a custom formulation designed specifically for low outgassing, and involving perfluoropolyether (PFPE), would perform well in a space environment.

Hyperspectral imaging, which processes the electromagnetic properties of each pixel in the frame of an image, can be used to identify the materials that make up a scanned object or environment. Air and space-borne hyperspectral instruments, which often use Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor arrays, are fundamental to Earth observation processes.

ITRES Research proposes to design a high-performance CMOS sensor array with 3,000 across-track pixels, twice the size of current state of the art CMOS focal plane arrays (FPAs). Earth observation payload designs currently require two CMOS focal plane arrays to achieve the required across-track swath. This project initiates the development of a CMOS focal plane array that can meet the same performance criteria as current FPAs, while also meeting the spatial swath needs of Canada's Earth observation community.

Earth's magnetosphere contains ionized particles that can cause damage to electrical systems in spacecraft.

DPL Science has developed the Dielectric Deep Charge Monitor (DDCM) to warn of possible deep charging in spacecraft. This project aims to develop multiple sample measurement capabilities in the DDCM and to allow the DDCM to be incorporated into radiation monitoring suites. This project will also work to upgrade DPL Science's Spacecraft Power Module to withstand radiation encountered between 2,000 km and 35,786 km from Earth's equator, which will greatly increase potential applications for the module.

Tracking, Telemetry and Control (TT&C) systems monitor satellite functionality, determine the satellite's location and control the satellite's behaviour. It is a required technology on all satellites, regardless of their application. As the market for communications satellites grows, regulators of the operating frequency bands have encountered challenges regarding the range of the usable band spectrum for navigation, communication, and Earth observation payloads.

Orbital Research will develop a TT&C receiver for partner Tethers Unlimited, to be integrated into that company's TT&C system. The receiver will operate in a new frequency band, outside the commercially available range. In addition to the new band, the Orbital Research receiver will be much smaller than comparable receivers and hardened for use in space, making the receiver ideal for small satellites.

Recent advancements in actuators, sensor technology, and virtual reality (VR) systems are allowing researchers to make significant strides to improve the dexterity and speed of robotic manipulators. Despite this, substantial opportunity remains to improve control interfaces and manipulators that are slow, unintuitive, and significantly less dextrous than the human body.

Averro Robotics and Technology will develop an intuitive, easy-to-wear control interface for manipulating dual robotic arms. The control interface will provide haptic feedback to the operator and allow for the robot's “vision” to be experienced using VR, providing an unparalleled sense of immersion and depth perception for the operator. This technology will significantly improve operator safety in several environments including space exploration, spacecraft repair, explosive ordinance disposal, military operations, offshore and underwater environments, confined spaces, and other hazardous locations. This revolutionary, immersive technology is expected to allow remote tasks to be accomplished faster, more safely, and with less user training than other systems.

Advances in satellite transmission technology mean that customers transmit over a much broader spectrum of frequencies than they did 30 years ago. Current amplifiers, designed for a smaller range, struggle with deteriorating signals which affects service for customers.

Advantech Wireless will address that problem through a method of signal correction and a power amplifier module. This design has transferrable applications and could provide an alternative to technologies in other markets that are currently insulated from competition.

Computer processors have increased in power dramatically over the last several years. This means that processing functions that used to require dedicated hardware can now be handled by much simpler hardware, such as the Central Processing Unit (CPU) found in a typical general-purpose computer.

Square Peg Communications will adapt signal processing operations fundamental to satellite communications so that they no longer require specialized hardware. This approach will allow for a less costly and complex system, greatly increase system capacity, and avoid obsolescence for the foreseeable future.