Controller Area Network in Space – background and lesson learn from practical experience
- Paper number
IAC-05-D1.2.03
- Author
Dr. Gabriel Leen, University of Limerick, Ireland
- Coauthor
Dr. Ing. Massimiliano Porciani, Italy
- Year
2005
- Abstract
In the mid 1980’s Bosch and Intel joined forces to develop a new serial control network for distributed automotive applications, Controller Area Network or CAN as it has become widely known evolved from this effort. CAN subsequently proved to be a robust reliable protocol, being deployed in its first vehicle, the Mercedes 600SEL in 1992. Today most modern vehicles utilise CAN networks, while CAN has also been applied to a broad spectrum of applications including: airplanes, trains, building automation and industrial automation. Recent developments have seen CAN technology applied as the platform and payload control network in spacecraft. Due to a growing difficulty in acquiring radiation hardened space qualified components combined with their development and implementation costs, terrestrial technologies are being reengineered and deployed in space applications. In this paper we briefly discuss the challenges faced by electronic systems in the environment of space and illustrate the potential for use of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices in space applications. The Controller Area Network (CAN) control protocol is presented and reviewed and a number of instances where CAN has been deployed in spacecraft are described. The advantages and disadvantages of CAN relative to other traditional spacecraft control network solutions, such as MIL-STD-1553B and OBDH are presented. CAN architectures, network redundancy, fault-tolerant configurations and CANs suitability for different reliability related categories of space applications are discussed. Finally, practical experience gained and lessons learned from the implementation of CAN on the Matroshka instrument, an instrument which has been installed on the International Space Station, are then presented.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-D1.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.