Platform-based embedded solution for small satellite's onboard computing

Abstract

Design of command and data handling subsystems for small satellites is in the focus for many in space industry and academia. For today a plenty of small satellites have been designed, manufactured and launched. However, while the application calls for the highly standardized platform, an overview of the projects shows a vast diversity of different hardware solutions on the market. The aim of this paper is to explore the possibilities of platform-based design for the task. A Universal Module for Managing the Information is presented to be a basic node for an onboard network that comprises a command and data handling subsystem of a spacecraft bus.

Keywords

• small satellite
• onboard network
• platform
• design
• SpaceWire
• FPGA