Integrated Core Avionics (ICA) is a space avionics framework that addresses a wide variety of mission scenarios in an innovative and developer friendly fashion. It provides a coherent and scalable solution for the full set of core avionic domains power, onboard data handling, communication and software, based on latest avionics research.
The first demonstration of ICA will be part of the PLUTO mission [link to PLUTO site here], demonstrating ICA and various other DLR developments across multiple institutes in 2025.
Motivation
As Avionic Systems Department, we routinely face the challenge to provide innovative solutions for a wide variety of space missions. Yet, we are in the unique position to regularly have the system leadership role and at the same time are in charge of developing the mission's core avionics. This provides the opportunity to influence almost all aspects of the space system design. Together with the close collaboration of our experts in the domains of power systems, onboard data handling, communication, and flight software, we can offer an Integrated Core Avionics (ICA) solution for diverse mission scenarios. We aim for a solution that is:
Easy to scale for different applications and spacecraft classes
Easy to extend with new functionality and external technologies
Easy to update with latest research findings
Approach
From the start, ICA is designed in close collaboration by experts from all core avionics domains. The goal is to provide solutions that integrate the domains by design instead of requiring dedicated integration effort later. This is achieved by two key aspects:
Early definition of shared functional, hardware, and software interfaces
Clear definition of the combined design space and its limits
Solution
ICA provides solutions that can be used in a wide variety of scenarios. The hardware is based on the ICA Unified Module Framework (UMF) that allows the integration of the same modules in CubeSat structures or stand-alone enclosures for larger systems. A variety of modules can provide functionality from power and data handling to communications. All of them are supported by our own on-board software called "OUTPOST" (Open modular software Platform for Spacecraft). Overall, small, centralized solutions as well as larger distributed systems with remote terminal units are supported. This allows the application of ICA in larger CubeSats, small satellites, launchers, probes or other space equipment, with reduced redesign effort and reduced risk.
Avionik systems, Integrated Core Avionics
ICA UMF components integrated into 3U CubeSat structure (left), with additional space for PC104 cartridges (right) mit zusätzlichem Platz für PC104-Cartridges (rechts)
