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ULSSD, BLUEsat Project

ULSSD, BLUEsat Project. Testing and integration of Radio Systems on a Microsatellite. Presented by: Darran Siu (VK2TUP) d.siu@bluesat.unsw.edu.au. Introduction to the BLUEsat Project What are the objectives of this thesis project

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ULSSD, BLUEsat Project

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  1. ULSSD, BLUEsat Project

  2. Testing and integration of Radio Systems on a Microsatellite Presented by: Darran Siu (VK2TUP) d.siu@bluesat.unsw.edu.au

  3. Introduction to the BLUEsat Project What are the objectives of this thesis project Overview of testing and integration of the Radio Systems on the BLUEsat Microsatellite How can our testing and integration process be reused on future microsatellite missions. Overview of this presentation

  4. BLUEsat Project • Basic Low Earth Orbit UNSW Experimental Satellite • Based on the AMSAT-NA microsatellite design • Mass: Less than 15 Kg • Size: 240 x 240 x 240mm (min)

  5. BLUEsat Structure • Body mounted solar panels • Modular stack tray design • Spring loaded deployment mechanism • Passive magnetic stabilization

  6. BLUEsat Subsystems Imaging system Flight Computer Communications Systems Power Management GPS Lexan Experiment

  7. The reason for the chosen radio frequency range Amateur Radio Satellite Frequencies J mode — 145MHz uplink and 435MHz downlink Why? To avoid the pager interference that operates on 145MHz To avoid Asian Pirates (eg Taxi Companies) The Radio System

  8. FM Transmitter & FM Receiver • Receiver • Model: Hamtronics R100 • Frequency: Receives at 145MHz • Data rate: 9.6Kbps • Main function— • Amplification • Selection and filtering • Frequency Demodulation • Frequency conversion • Transmitter • Model: Hamtronics TA451 • Frequency: Transmits at 435MHz • Data rate: 9.6Kbps • Main function— • Frequency Modulation • Frequency conversion • Amplification

  9. Volunteer based Organisation Limited Resources Lack of Experience Lack of interfacing between sub-projects They have influence over our Thesis Project Problems with Student Engineering Projects

  10. Validate/Establish of Requirements and Specifications of the Radio System To test the functionality of the radio system and its components. To integrate the system onto the microsatellite. Ensure the Radio System will survive launch and space environments To gain deeper knowledge of the satellite development and operation in space. Thesis Objectives

  11. BLUEsat Power System BLUEsat Flight Computer System BLUEsat Interfaces Variable Controllable Voltage 13.6V – 9.1V Unregulated battery voltage 13.6V -> flat battery ~ 10V Serial Comm Link Audio In 2V P-P Modem/ TNC Audio Out 2V P-P RX 145 MHz TX 435 MHz THESIS SCOPE (Optional) Antenna System Antenna System RF 145 MHz In RF 435 MHz Out FM 145MHz any polarisation FM 435 MHz RHCP polarization Antenna System Antenna System Earth Equipment (the ground station) and Testing units TX 145 MHz RX 435 MHz

  12. Systems Engineering Approach

  13. Particular Engineering Challenges with BLUEsat • Complex Space Systems Engineering • Lack of Knowledge • Expensive operation • Limited Resources • Lack of Experience

  14. Requirements • Communicate to Groundstations • Transmit and Receive at 9600 bits per second • Allow Amateur Radio Operation • Transmit and Receive on Amateur Radio Bands • Comply with ITU and ACA Regulations • Fully operate under space conditions

  15. Specification • Receiver receives at the frequency of 145MHz • Transmitter transmits at the frequency of 435MHz • The input DC voltage is between 9.1 to 13.6 volts. • The impedance of the antenna is 50 ohms.

  16. Testing Plan • Functionality • Basic On/Off Test • Boundary Conditions • Physical limit of each component • Environmental • Temperature • EMI • Radiation

  17. Functionality • Testing basic operation of each component. • Testing the basic functionality to see if it meets the spec values • Pass or Fail criteria • Static Free environment

  18. Power DC input power Heat Generated RF performance Frequency Frequency drift effected by the temperature Doppler shift Boundary conditions • The maximum physical limits (and the range) of each component/system that it can be exposed to before breaking down

  19. Environmental tests • Temperature Drifts • Vacuum • Electromagnetic Interference (eg Space Radar) • Cosmic Radiation • Heat Generated/Absorbed

  20. Building the interfaces between The Power system Antennas The receiver and the transmitter Flight Computer/TNC Integrate the radio system onto the satellite Co-operate with other sub systems on the satellite Do the qualification and acceptance tests Integration

  21. Use of Lab View software – Data Logger Test the radio system with the whole satellite Test the radio system against the boundary conditions Qualification Test Acceptance Test • Pre-Launch functionality test • Carry over the modifications

  22. Considerable amount of heat generated Size restrictions Power Restrictions Bandwidth Restrictions Current problems encountered

  23. Change the satellite Modify the components Downgrade our functionality Strengthen Components Use Space Grade Componentry Ensure ESD Free Environment Meticulous documentation and testing results Possible solutions

  24. Progress report & work plan Phase 1:Defining the thesis scope Previous work from BLUEsat Phase 2: Literature review Interfaces from BLUEsat Sub-systems Phase 3: Validating & Establishing requirements Space Environment and knowledge Phase 4: Boundary Conditions Analysis Phase 5: Developing & Designing Test Plans

  25. Progress report & work plan Phase 7: Space Environment Modification/ Hardening Fail Phase 6: Preliminary Component Testing Pass/Fail Pass Phase 8: Integration & Qualification Testing Fail Pass/Fail Pass Phase 9: Acceptance Testing Fail Pass/Fail Pass

  26. Then we can launch…

  27. We would like to thank all our generous sponsors and supporters for helping make this possible.

  28. ? Questions ? ?

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