On-board computer and software
The On-board computer connect the active parts of control subsystems together, retrives data from payload, and controlls communication which ground. Because electronics are effected by radiation spacecrafts use special radiation hardened parts, and special methods to avoid errors. These components are very expensive and therefoer CubeSats have to trade-off some reliability and use commertial of the shelf (COTS) components.
OnBoard Computer
- Arduino: Open Hardware and open software microcontroller with easy to use I/O. Excellent for missions which doesn’t need much processing power.
- Beagle Board: an ARM based board, with superior performance, but acceptable power consumption. Fully Open Hardware.
- OBC specially designed for CubeSats: several companies sell ready made OBC which generally provide superior reliablility but less 3rd party support. Go to The Industry page for more information.
Software for CubeSat
- SUSat software: visit the SUSat page for more information.
- Commertial software: generally very expensive, and not always functional out-of-the-box.
| CASE STUDY 2010 University of Southampton. SUSat uses two Arduino boards as OBC (and a third one for ADCS). One Arduino is dedicated to communication and data transfer the other one is used for houskeeping routines. While the operating system is only sigle threaded multitasking is achived because two microcontrollers are used simultaniously. To find out more visit the SUSat site. |
| OPEN DESIGNS SUSat OBC, 2010 University of Southampton downloads:
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