Development and verification of microsatellite attitude control system by processor-in-the-loop method

Chia Yen Chong, Xin Zhan Yang, Jyh-Chin Juang, Jiun-Jih Miau

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The paper describes the development of a microsatellite attitude control system and verification of its functionality and performance by processor-in-the-loop (PIL) method. At NCKU, Taiwan, a 30 kg experimental satellite named CKUTEX is being developed. The role of the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) is to provide attitude control functions including detumbling of the angular velocity, stabilization of the satellite, as well as estimation of orbit and attitude information for satellite operation. To fully develop and verify the attitude control system, a PIL simulation is developed. The simulation facility contains a dynamic simulator and real-time controller, as well as some interfacing circuitry. The dynamic simulator is capable of performing simulation of the space environment, orbit dynamic, attitude dynamic, and sensor/actuator models. The real-time controller is a realization of the embedded controller for attitude determination and control. The control actions of the CKUTEX are provided by magnetic torque rod while the attitude information is deduced from sensors including inertial measurement unit, digital sun sensors and magnetometers. Specifically, an NI-PXI platform is used to facilitate the simulation of the dynamics and a microchip processor is used to realize the real-time attitude determination and control functions. In the paper, the control requirements of the CKUTEX are briefly discussed. The PIL simulation facility is then described. Different simulation and test results are then provided to illustrate the capability of the PIL simulation in developing and verifying various functions and operations of the CKUTEX ADCS. The real-time performance requirement and computation throughput are then assessed to verify the embedded processor.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication61st International Astronautical Congress 2010, IAC 2010
Pages2392-2398
Number of pages7
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Dec 1
Event61st International Astronautical Congress 2010, IAC 2010 - Prague, Czech Republic
Duration: 2010 Sept 272010 Oct 1

Publication series

Name61st International Astronautical Congress 2010, IAC 2010
Volume3

Other

Other61st International Astronautical Congress 2010, IAC 2010
Country/TerritoryCzech Republic
CityPrague
Period10-09-2710-10-01

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics

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