A Multiple Mode Payload Concept for Smart Power Resource Management

This paper describes a payload concept that is intended to better manage energy resources and enhance mission return. The payload reduces onboard data using multiple signal processing modes. Each mode is selected based on the available power resources and incoming data rate. Through software simulation, the concept is compared to the more conventional single processing mode and “unprocessed” approaches. For the chosen application, the multiple mode approach is shown to have higher performance metrics than the single mode approaches. Additionally, a significant 99.7% to a modest 4.79% net savings in energy is estimated when compared to the “unprocessed” approach.