Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Next-generation nanosatellites are becoming a very cost effective solution to
gain access to space. Modern manufacturing technology together with low
power low cost devices makes the development of nanosatellites, using standard
industrial components, very attractive. A typical nanosatellite will have
only one microprocessor, capable of performing all the computing tasks onboard
the satellite - housekeeping, AODC (Attitude and Orbit Control) and
instructing the different payloads aboard the satellite.
One of the major requirements was to choose a processor from a dominant
manufacturer in the market that will still be available for future satellite
missions. Just as the 8051 dominated the 8-bit market, the ARM7 processor
is fast becoming a market leader in the segment for 16-bit applications.
ARM processors has also been used much in handheld devices in recent years -
which emphasize the low power requirements and stability of these processors
in embedded applications.
This thesis investigates the different processors that are currently available.
A complete system design is done, taking into account all the different modules
needed onboard a very small Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. Finally, some
test results are given showing how this system can be reliably used onboard a
nanosatellite in future.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2864 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Brand, Christiaan Johannes Petrus |
| Contributors | Bakkes, P. J., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1715939 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
Page generated in 0.0016 seconds