ASIC for Reed-Solomon Coding and Related Functions

The Reed-Solomon downlink application-specific integrated circuit (RSDL ASIC) performs Reed-Solomon encoding of telemetry data, internally generates all timing and control signals necessary for the RS encoder, transfers frames of encoded data to a radio transmitter, and performs ancillary timing and control functions. The RSDL ASIC was designed for incorporation into a spacecraft downlink telemetry system, wherein the multiple functions involved in downlinking of telemetry transfer frames previously required interfaces with many discrete circuits and components. The RSDL ASIC may also be adaptable to terrestrial applications (e.g., recording in the entertainment industry) that involve Reed-Solomon encoding.