---
title: What does each component do?
description: "### Ground Central The **Ground Central** is the core of the Constellation ecosystem. It connects to **Satellites** and handles all signal processing. It features a 2.8\" full-color TFT display with an intuitive, feature-rich UI for fast and easy configuration. Two…"
url: "https://docs.mjpaudiodesigns.com/docs/what-does-each-component-do/"
updated: "2025-12-09"
category: Getting Started
---

# What does each component do?

### Ground Central

The **Ground Central** is the core of the Constellation ecosystem. It connects to **Satellites** and handles all signal processing. It features a 2.8" full-color TFT display with an intuitive, feature-rich UI for fast and easy configuration. Two durable footswitches allow for hands-free operation, making it pedalboard-ready.

The back panel includes a swappable expansion **Card**, allowing for future upgrades without replacing the entire unit. The initial **XLR Audio Card** offers:

- USB-C port for power, remote control, and firmware updates
- +9–12V DC input (2.1mm center-negative barrel connector)
- ⅛" / 3.5mm stereo headphone output
- MIDI DIN-5 output
- Combo XLR / TRS input with digitally adjustable gain (-12 to +40 dB) and +48V phantom power
- Left / right balanced TRS outputs

The **Ground Central** processes both instrument and vocal signals and features motion-controlled audio effects, delivering an immersive experience for both performers and audiences.

It can also send MIDI messages to control external devices such as synthesizers, DAWs, and outboard gear.

### Satellite

The **Satellites** are motion-sensitive wearables designed to capture precise movements from various parts of the body—arms, ankles, hips, or head—for expressive performance.

Each Satellite includes:

- A 9-axis inertial sensor (3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and 3-axis magnetometer)
- Microphone
- RGB LED
- Haptic feedback (vibration).

The **Satellites** connect wirelessly to the **Ground Central** via a custom RF protocol—no Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®—for zero-latency communication. Each **Ground Central** currently supports up to four **Satellites** simultaneously, which will be expanded in future firmware updates.

The **Satellites** are powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery which can be recharged via the supplied USB-C cable.