Design and implementation of generic flight software for a CubeSat

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main on-board computer in a satellite is responsible for ensuring the correctoperation of the entire system. It performs this task using flight software. In order toreduce future development costs, it is desirable to develop generic software that canbe re-used on subsequent missions. This thesis details the design and implementationof a generic flight software application for CubeSats.A generic, modular framework is used in order to increase the re-usability of the flightsoftware architecture. In order to simplify the management of the various on-boardprocesses, the software is built upon the FreeRTOS real-time operating system.The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems' telemetry and telecommandpacket definitions are used to interface with ground stations. In addition, a numberof services defined in the European Cooperation for Space Standardisation's PacketUtilisation Standard are used to perform the functions required from the flightsoftware.The final application contains all the command and data handling functionalityrequired in a standard CubeSat mission. Mechanisms for the collection, storage andtransmission of housekeeping data are included as well as the implementation ofbasic fault tolerance techniques. Through testing it is shown that the FreeRTOSscheduler can be used to ensure the software meets hard-real time requirements.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University