Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Satellites are not all made equal. The large number of possible orbits, desired functionality
and budget constraints are but a few of the factors that influence the design of a satellite.
Given a particular set of design requirements, a number of designs may meet these
requirements. Each of these designs will typically entail a trade-off between a number of
(conflicting) parameters, whilst still satisfying the system requirements.
The On-Board Computer (OBC) of a satellite, the satellite subsystem primarily responsible
for the operational control of a satellite, can consequently be designed in any of a number
of different ways. As the factors that influence the flight performance of an OBC differs
to those of a terrestrial computer, the OBC design will therefore be significantly different.
A high-level overview of the factors that impact OBC design and operation is presented.
Improvements to the existing designs are proposed. In conclusion, a number of guidelines
for a future OBC design also are given. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Elke satelliet het unieke eienskappe wat bepaal word deur onderandere, die teiken wentelbaan,
verwagte funksionaliteit en koste oorweegings. Vir 'n spesefieke stelselontwerp
bestaan daar 'n aantal moontlike ontwerpe wat aan die stelsel vereistes voldoen. Elk van
hierdie ontwerpe sal tipies behels dat verskillende parameters teen mekaar afgespeel word,
terwyl die stelsel vereistes steeds aan voldoen word.
Die Aanboord Rekenaar (AR) van 'n satelliet, die satelliet substelsel hoofsaaklik verantwoordelik
vir die beheer van die satelliet, kan vervolgens uit een van veele moontlike ontwerpe
bestaan. Aangesien die faktore wat die werkverrigting van 'n AR beinvloed verskil
van die van 'n rekenaar wat op die aard oppervlak gebruik word, sal die AR ontwerp
dienooreenkomstig verskil. 'n Hoevlak oorsig van die faktore wat AR ontwerp beinvloed
sal gegee word. Verbeteringe wat aan die huidige AR ontwerpe gedoen kan word sal bespreek
word. Ter afsluiting sal 'n aantal riglyne vir toekomstige AR ontwerpe gegee word.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/51621 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Grobler, H. |
| Contributors | Bakkes, P. J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 125 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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