Seven Segment Demonstrator (SSD)

The SSD was developed by Blue Line Engineering of Colorado Springs, CO and delivered to MSFC in 1998 under a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract. The intent of the SSD was to advance PAMELA technology to the next generation. Technology advances included miniaturized segment electronics localized near each segment. Another key advance was miniaturization of the DSP stack into a small compact box that interfaces with the local segment electronics on one end and into a PC on the other end via a serial port. These advances made the command and control electronics more compact, lightweight and modular, a must if large arrays of segments are to be used in space. The portability of the SSD allows stowing in a briefcase and unfolding onto a desktop demonstration.