Session
Poster Session III
Event Website
https://www.smallsat.org/index
Abstract
Small satellites have become mainstream. New ventures are deploying constellations of small satellites that are being networked to perform remote sensing, image collection, and internet routing. This paper describes how a scalable, system-level emulation plays a key role when fielding and flying a new constellation of small satellites.
It's an understatement to say that designing, implementing, and validating a system employing a dozen, a hundred, or a thousand satellites is complex. There's inherent risk "scaling up" the number of deployed small satellites from few to many. Engineering analysis and testing cannot be deferred until there's a full constellation in orbit.
A system-level emulation is a software-based framework that provides the means to exercise the flight software, ground applications, and operations automation long before there are any satellites. The emulation models the satellite data, communications links, and data flows.
This paper/presentation defines the architecture for an emulation of the satellite, satellite data, communications links, and corresponding data flows. It describes the utility of the emulation at various stages.
There are three tenets for the architecture:
1) The system emulation adapts and evolves from system implementation to system validation and then again from system validation to system operation. Both the scale and the fidelity of the emulation increase at each stage.
2) The system emulation mimics the planned system. There are two aspects to this. The system emulation performance loads networks and applications. The system emulation also provides an efficient way to simulate errors, exercise corner cases, and run at degraded levels.
3) The system emulation is built with the interfaces that allow operational components to be swapped in. For example, flight software and satellite simulators connect into the emulation framework. Over time, the system emulation is replaced with the operational system and its satellites, space links, ground networks, and control applications.
System emulation is used in a number of essential ways. During design, the system emulation provides a simple, but configurable model for the constellation and its ground components. It enables a more precise tradeoff of alternate system designs. During implementation, the system emulation allows for end-to-end prototypes to flow data, exercise interfaces, and tie in flat sats and satellite simulators. The system emulation plays a vital role in validation of the operational system at a point when changes can be more easily made.
Satellite constellations are the next step for small satellites. Managing them is a giant leap for the ground networks and control applications. A well-conceived system emulation ensures the infrastructure and applications are well grounded before the herd of satellites head for space.
Included in
The Role of Emulation in Constellations of Small Satellites
Small satellites have become mainstream. New ventures are deploying constellations of small satellites that are being networked to perform remote sensing, image collection, and internet routing. This paper describes how a scalable, system-level emulation plays a key role when fielding and flying a new constellation of small satellites.
It's an understatement to say that designing, implementing, and validating a system employing a dozen, a hundred, or a thousand satellites is complex. There's inherent risk "scaling up" the number of deployed small satellites from few to many. Engineering analysis and testing cannot be deferred until there's a full constellation in orbit.
A system-level emulation is a software-based framework that provides the means to exercise the flight software, ground applications, and operations automation long before there are any satellites. The emulation models the satellite data, communications links, and data flows.
This paper/presentation defines the architecture for an emulation of the satellite, satellite data, communications links, and corresponding data flows. It describes the utility of the emulation at various stages.
There are three tenets for the architecture:
1) The system emulation adapts and evolves from system implementation to system validation and then again from system validation to system operation. Both the scale and the fidelity of the emulation increase at each stage.
2) The system emulation mimics the planned system. There are two aspects to this. The system emulation performance loads networks and applications. The system emulation also provides an efficient way to simulate errors, exercise corner cases, and run at degraded levels.
3) The system emulation is built with the interfaces that allow operational components to be swapped in. For example, flight software and satellite simulators connect into the emulation framework. Over time, the system emulation is replaced with the operational system and its satellites, space links, ground networks, and control applications.
System emulation is used in a number of essential ways. During design, the system emulation provides a simple, but configurable model for the constellation and its ground components. It enables a more precise tradeoff of alternate system designs. During implementation, the system emulation allows for end-to-end prototypes to flow data, exercise interfaces, and tie in flat sats and satellite simulators. The system emulation plays a vital role in validation of the operational system at a point when changes can be more easily made.
Satellite constellations are the next step for small satellites. Managing them is a giant leap for the ground networks and control applications. A well-conceived system emulation ensures the infrastructure and applications are well grounded before the herd of satellites head for space.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/smallsat/2016/Poster3/9
