ECCS - Embedded Command and Control System

The subject of this project was to design an embedded command and control subsystem (ECCS) as part of a satellite onboard electronics module based on the MIL-STD-1553B interface standard. In the present context "embedded" means that the subsystem is not implemented as a separate system formed by dedicated hard- and software, but that it is fully integrated into the extended hard- and software of an existing state-of-the-art spaceborne payload processor module.

Short Description

As individual modules had to be modified, the design followed an innovative approach, which applied the so called qualification driven design (QDD) technique to achieve mutual isolation of the different entities of the modular design in order to accomplish true system component modularity and to avoid expensive re- qualification.

This approach considers hardware, software and verification simultaneously for the purpose of arriving at a de- composition of encapsulated modules, ideally free of mutual interference.

Another important objective was to keep this development free of ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) limitations by careful choice of used components.

As final results of the proposed activity the following items are available for further usage:

Embedded system design, implementing the MIL-Std-1553B interface standard for remote terminal operations
MIL-Std-1553B conformance tester design
Functional test facility
Demonstrator, i.e. an operational payload processor breadboard with application software, tested for conformance Both conformance tester and functional test facility are directly re-useable as part of flight-model production test equipment.

RUAG Space Austria performed this work in close cooperation with RUAG Space Sweden, who was responsible for the establishment of the facility for MIL-Std-1553 conformance testing, which is required for each produced flight item equipped with this interface.

Project Partners

Coordinator

RUAG Space GmbH - Gerhard Osterseher

Partner

RUAG Space AB, Sweden - Lars-Göran Green

Contact Address

RUAG Space GmbH
Gerhard Osterseher
Stachegasse 16
A-1120 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (1) 80199 2290
E-mail: Gerhard.Osterseher@ruag.com
Web: www.ruag.com