The Command & Data Handling Unit (C&DH) provides the spacecraft control processing, data handling and storage, command decoding and telemetry gathering and encoding. The MDA C&DH unit is targeted for LEO, MEO and GEO C&DH applications.

Command & Data Handling Unit
The C&DH unit provides the spacecraft control processing, data handling and storage, command decoding and telemetry gathering and encoding. A C&DH unit is comprised of one or more board types such as those given below and may include an MDA ESP or custom boards.

Motor Drive Electronics (MDE) Card
The MDE is able to control two motors for antenna pointing and/or deployment mechanisms. The MDE is able to directly interface to the spacecraft computer via a standard serial to digital interface. The card also includes analog acquisition capabilities as well as heater control and pulse command outputs.

Payload Interface I/O Controller Card
The IO Controller Card includes a variety of interfaces that include analog acquisition, bi-level and contact closure telemetry as well as high level pulse command capabilities. The card is able to directly interface with the spacecraft computer via a standard serial digital interface.