Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The SUNSAT RAMDISK was studied, and tests performed to assess its flight
readiness. Errors were detected, and modifications had to be made to ensure proper
operation. SUNSAT was subsequently launched, and to date the RAMDISK is still
functioning correctly. The flight readiness testing of the RAMDISK was considered a
pre-study to designing a second generation RAMDISK.
A conceptual mass memory storage device support structure was designed. This
second generation RAMDISK, or memory drive is intended to be used on a second
generation SUNSAT, or SUNSAT 2. The design is targeted for implementation in
fields programmable gate arrays (FPGA's) and was realised using VHDL. This
hardware description language is an accepted standard, and can be implemented in a
number of different programmable logic devices; both SRAM and fuse-link based.
Simulations were performed to verity the functionality of the design, and to determine
whether the data transfer specifications could be met using programmable logic
devices.
A modular design methodology was followed. The memory drive was designed so that
any type and amount of memory can be added to the drive without a major design
change.
The simulations indicated that a data capturing speed of 130 Mbits/s could be
maintained. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die SUNSAT massa geheue module is bestudeer, en toetse is daarop uigevoer om die
vlug gereedheid te bepaal. Foute is gevind, en veranderinge moes aangebring word om
korrekte werking te verseker. SUNSAT is gelanseer en die geheue module werk tot op
datum nog korrek. Die geheue module se vlug gereedheid toetse is beskou as In voor
studie vir die ontwerp van In tweede generasie geheue module.
In Konseptueie massa stoor toestel struktuur is ontwerp. Hierdie tweede generasie
geheue module, of geheue skyf is bedoel om op In tweede generasie SUNSAT, of
SUNSAT 2 gebruik te word. FPGA's is die teiken tegnologie vir hierdie ontwerp en
VHDL is gebruik om die ontwerp te realiseer. Hierdie hardeware beskrywingstaal
word as In standaard aanvaar en kan in verskillende herprogrammeerbare tegnologieë
gebruik word.
Sirnulasies is gedoen om die funksionaliteit van die ontwerp te verifieer, en om te
bepaal of die nodige data oordragstempo gehandhaaf kan word met
herprogrammeerbare tegnologie.
In Modulêre ontwerpsfilosofie is gevolg. Die geheue skyf is ontwerp sodat dit enige
tipe en hoeveelheid geheue kan ondersteun sonder om groot veranderinge aan die
ontwerp te doen.
Die sirnulasies toon dat In data oordragstempo van 130 Mbits/s gehandhaafkan word.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/51620 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Rust, A. N. |
| 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 | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 119 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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