Document-Based Programming System for Seamless Linking of Satellite Onboard Software and Ground Operating System

Abstract

In satellites, onboard software is required to perform complicated mission sequences and autonomous scheduling, conduct preliminary data processing, and manage various onboard devices. The dependability of onboard software strongly affects the reliability of a satellite itself. Therefore, the onboard software must be both complex and reliable to perform complicated small satellite missions. We propose an automatic software generator to meet these requirements. This generates onboard software and a database for the ground operating system using satellite development documents, such as command and telemetry definition documents and fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) definition documents. By using this software generator, the software development load can be reduced and human error can be avoided, even if the definitions are modified in an ad hoc manner during the development process. The generator additionally enables the easy accommodation of user preferences and software depth variation during a mission.