Towards Autonomous RF Payload Nodes: Enabling Spaceborne RF Experiments and Standalone Payload Data Downlink via SDRs

Abstract

Software-defined radios (SDRs) are key enablers of flexible and resource-efficient spacecraft architectures. This paper presents a multifunction SDR platform designed to support spaceborne radio frequency (RF) experimentation while autonomously handling payload data generation, storage, and S-band downlink in compliance with relevant ECSS/CCSDS requirements. By consolidating sensing, processing, and communication capabilities within a single unit, the system reduces spacecraft subsystem dependencies, integration complexity, and resource usage. The proposed approach demonstrates how SDR-based payload nodes can increase mission adaptability, enable in-orbit reconfiguration, and support future multi-application RF experiments.