Browsing by Author "Koekemoer, Jan-Albert"

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    Investigation of a command and data handling architecture for the SUNSAT-2 micro satellite
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1999-12) Koekemoer, Jan-Albert; Bakkes, P. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: This thesis investigates the design of a Command and Data Handling (C&DH) system for possible use on future SUNSAT satellites. The investigation begins with a description of the underlying components of a general C&DH system, namely telemetry (TLM) and telecommand (TCMD). From the subsequent evaluation of these subsystems on SUNSAT-1, several recommendations to improve their functionality on the proposed C&DH design are made. Preliminary design specifications and requirements are then set up for the new design. The main requirements are flexibility and reliability. A logical improvement from the centralised TLM and TCMD designs used on SUNSAT-1, is identified, namely a bus architecture for the proposed C&DH system. Several bus technologies are subsequently evaluated and from this, Controller Area Network (CAN) technology is chosen as a suitable, relatively high speed serial bus. Several system architectures to implement CAN with on the C&DH system are then evaluated. The concept of CAN nodes within the C&DH system is explained, and from this, the detail of such a node is presented, designed, and implemented in the form of a prototype hardware system. The performance of the prototype is then evaluated against the set specifications and requirements. Other work related to the design of a C&DH system covered in this document, includes the evaluation of several international TLM and TCMD standards. From these, the recommendations ofthe Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) are identified as a possible down- and uplink protocol on future satellites.