An Embedded Systems Laboratory for Aerospace Students

Abstract

The UPM Master in Space Systems (MUSE) is a two-year graduate program focused on space systems technology. The program is largely project-based, with the UPMSat-2 satellite mission as a general framework to which the various course subjects are applied. The course on Data Housekeeping deals with the hardware and software aspects of the on-board computer systems in charge of data acquisition, monitoring and control within a spacecraft, with special reference to UPMSat-2, as well as the command and supervision functions of the associated ground segment. Since the real hardware used on the satellite is expensive and thus not amenable to use in laboratory work, except in very limited situations, a simplified engineering model of it has been developed by the authors. The model is based on a cheap, reduced size microcomputer board kit that can be easily acquired and taken home by the students in order to carry out the laboratory assignments and supplementary work as needed. The hardware and software components of the laboratory kit, its use in the course, and its impact on the students performance, are described in the paper.