EGSE, Electrical Ground Support Equipment

IPSES designs and develops custom EGSE (Electrical Ground Support Equipment) and automated test systems supporting Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT), functional verification and validation activities for space platforms, payloads and onboard subsystems.

Backed by long-standing experience in automated test systems for space applications, we deliver reliable and flexible solutions, fully tailored to programme requirements, for space agencies, prime contractors, system integrators and subsystem manufacturers.

OCOE, On-Board Control Equipment

We develop EGSE systems for the functional testing and validation of on-board control electronics, enabling customers to:

• Simulate mission interfaces and signals
• Verify control logic and telemetry
• Run automated tests and validation procedures
• Analyse performance and operational behaviour

SCOE, Special Check-Out Equipment

We build dedicated test platforms for individual satellite subsystems and units, including:

• Power Units
• Communication Modules
• Data Handling Systems
• Payload Electronics
• Sensors and actuators

Every SCOE is designed around the customer's specific requirements, to ensure maximum functional coverage and fully automated test procedures.

Power systems

The power subsystem is among the most critical to qualify. We build:

• Power supply and power simulation systems
• Solar array simulators
• Programmable electronic load systems
• Test benches for Power Conditioning Units

Solar cell characterisation and testing

We design and manufacture systems for the characterisation, validation and testing of space solar cells, photovoltaic strings and satellite solar panels, accurately reproducing real operating conditions.

In this field IPSES has years of experience in building dedicated instruments. SoCRATes is our system for the characterisation and classification of aerospace solar cells: it handles wafers of up to 4 inches, interfaces with solar simulators by controlling their shutter and returns the current-voltage curve, reverse current, internal diode behaviour and electroluminescent emission. Datasheet and documentation.

The same measurement and handling technologies feed into our EGSE benches dedicated to the power subsystem, from single-cell characterisation to the verification of the complete panel integrated on the satellite.

Telemetry and control

We develop EGSE for telemetry and telecommand (TM/TC) data flows, including:

• TM/TC EGSE development
• Interface and protocol validation
• Onboard subsystem testing
• TT&C support systems, signal monitoring and analysis

Data acquisition and analysis

A test bench is worth as much as the data it produces. Our solutions cover:

• Test data acquisition and recording
• Monitoring and reporting tools
• Post-processing and analysis of results
• Databases and campaign traceability

Test automation and AIT support

• Automated test execution
• AIT campaign management
• Functional verification and validation
• Test sequence development in NI TestStand

Our engineers are certified in NI LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and TestStand. IPSES is a National Instruments Gold Partner.

RF and GNSS expertise supporting space programmes

Our EGSE activity draws on the RF and synchronisation expertise IPSES has built over the years:

• GNSS signal simulation (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou) for onboard receiver testing and interference analysis
• Radar and SAR signal simulation, RF chain design and performance analysis
• Custom RF test benches, telemetry validation and verification
• SDR solutions for recording, playback, emulation and analysis of RF environments
• High-accuracy time distribution and synchronisation across benches and units under test

Turnkey EGSE systems

A complete solution including:

• Hardware
• Interface electronics
• Control software
• Test automation
• Technical documentation
• Integration and acceptance testing

The customer receives a ready-to-use system, fully validated and tailored to the requirements of the space programme.

Supply of individual components

We can also cover a single part of the project, when the test architecture is already defined.

Hardware: test benches, racks and interfaces, simulators and electronic loads, data acquisition systems
Electronics: custom boards, signal conditioning, dedicated interfaces, control units
Software: automated test applications, supervisory software, operator interfaces, databases and reporting, integration with existing systems

If you have a space programme under way or in the definition phase, contact us: our engineering department will help you identify the most suitable EGSE configuration for your needs.