  We report the design and implementation of a complete electronics platform
for conducting a quantum optics experiment that will be operated on board a 1U
CubeSat (a 10 x 10 x 10 cm satellite). The quantum optics experiment is
designed to produce polarization-entangled photon pairs using non-linear
optical crystals and requires opto-electronic components such as a pump laser,
single photon detectors and liquid crystal based polarization rotators in
addition to passive optical elements. The platform provides mechanical support
for the optical assembly. It also communicates autonomously with the host
satellite to provide experiment data for transmission to a ground station. A
limited number of commands can be transmitted from ground to the platform
enabling it to switch experimental modes. This platform requires less than 1.5W
for all operations, and is space qualified. The implementation of this
electronics platform is a major step on the road to operating quantum
communication experiments using nanosatellites.
