Internal Data Bus of a Small Student Satellite

Abstract

This thesis presents a platform for a small student satellite. A backplanesolution with slots for 8 individual modules is proposed. The backplane providesthe modules with power and a common data bus, as well as mechanismsfor isolating modules from the rest of the system and a possibility of restoringmisbehaving modules. It has a power consumption of about 100mW.An on-board controller has been designed and tested. It consists of a32-bit MCU, a NAND flash memory for housekeeping logs, an SRAM memoryfor processing variables, an OTP memory for safe storage of modulefirmwares, USB interface and a wireless intra-satellite communication module.The on-board controller has the main responsibility for monitoring andpreserving the satellite s health. The power consumption will be dependentof the final firmware, but a rough estimate is about 100mW.Also, an experimental wireless intra-satellite communication system isproposed. The system consists of a small wireless module, that will be integratedonto any module that is a part of the wireless network.