Model-based Design and Verification – State of the Art from Galileo Constellation down to Small University Satellites
- Paper number
IAC-06-D1.3.02
- Author
Dr. Jens Eickhoff, Astrium, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Albert Falke, University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Coauthor
Prof. Hans-Peter Roeser, University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Since 2001 EADS Astrium GmbH has implemented a model-based system simulation infrastructure for support of spacecraft development, onboard software verification and spacecraft design validation. Corresponding thereto an engineering process has been established, allowing development and full design validation of spacecrafts without necessity of engineering models on spacecraft level. This simulation infrastructure is called "Model-based Development \& Verification Environment" (MDVE). Mayor benefit of model-based system development applying MDVE is the early possibility for simulated satellite mission operations, using real onboard software in the virtual satellite, even before availability of real hardware. This represents an outstanding support to system design qualification and performance verification. The model-based development technology for the first time was applied in ESA's CryoSat programme. In the meantime it is established at EADS Astrium as standard technology, being applied in the projects GOCE (ESA), TerraSAR (DLR), Aeolus (ESA) and the LISA Pathfinder mission (ESA) with extreme requirements towards software performance and numeric precision. The latest derivate of the technology are applications in Europe's navigation strategy programme Galileo, where both the space segment level as well as the avionics subsystem of the four Galileo In-Orbit-Verification satellites is developed applying MDVE technology. MDVE technology application however is not limited to commercial and large scale spacecrafts. In a close partnership with University of Stuttgart, EADS Astrium also sponsored an MDVE installation to the Institute of Space Systems (IRS) for the small satellite program "Flying Laptop", which is the first micro-satellite under development of IRS. Several research technologies will be implemented aboard, such as a highly agile Attitude Control System operating in target pointing mode for image acquisition. Furthermore the onboard computer is based on a reconfigurable, redundant and self-controlling field programmable gate array (FPGA) instead of classic microprocessor technology. While the IRS is supported with a professional satellite development tool, industry's objective in this partnership is to have access to students and PhD students being trained to state of the art engineering technology and processes. This paper presents the span of benefits of model-based engineering with MDVE in application from small satellites up to large constellation programmes. The MDVE hardware and software concepts, typical testbench constellations and satellite design process characteristics are presented with application examples given both from the the micro-satellite "Flying Laptop" as well as from the Galileo programme.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D1.3.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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