High-rate CCSDS formatter/encoder plus IDEA encryptor as a single-chip solution

Link data processing systems for advanced satellite applications require high throughput implementations of formatting/encoding as well as of encryption functions. Configurable field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) provide flexible solutions to implement these functions, but their sensitivity to the space radiation environment requires special design provisions. In this article, typical downlink processing functions and throughput demands are addressed. A single-chip implementation including encryption function based on International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA) [Media Crypt AG, IDEA Technical Description, www.mediacrypt.com, September 2003] within a configurable FPGA is presented.