A second generation SUNSAT RAMDISK

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The SUNSAT RAMDISK was studied, and tests performed to assess its flightreadiness. Errors were detected, and modifications had to be made to ensure properoperation. SUNSAT was subsequently launched, and to date the RAMDISK is stillfunctioning correctly. The flight readiness testing of the RAMDISK was considered apre-study to designing a second generation RAMDISK.A conceptual mass memory storage device support structure was designed. Thissecond generation RAMDISK, or memory drive is intended to be used on a secondgeneration SUNSAT, or SUNSAT 2. The design is targeted for implementation infields programmable gate arrays (FPGA's) and was realised using VHDL. Thishardware description language is an accepted standard, and can be implemented in anumber of different programmable logic devices; both SRAM and fuse-link based.Simulations were performed to verity the functionality of the design, and to determinewhether the data transfer specifications could be met using programmable logicdevices.A modular design methodology was followed. The memory drive was designed so thatany type and amount of memory can be added to the drive without a major designchange.The simulations indicated that a data capturing speed of 130 Mbits/s could bemaintained.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University