PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The on-board computer equipment, i.e. spacecraft management unit, controls and monitors satellite subsystems and payloads. It performs on-board telecommand and telemetry functions such as collecting and formatting platform and payload data for down-link, distributing and executing up-linked telecommands as well as controlling temperatures, power distribution, pyro release etc. One of the most important discrete interfaces on-board a spacecraft is the high-level command pulse. This interface is typically used for carrying out critical spacecraft reconfigurations and used to configure the spacecraft directly by the ground operator. Today RUAG Space AB is using an ASIC called OCD (Output Command Driver) to drive pulse commands. The purpose of the study was to develop a new ASIC that replaces the soon-to-be obsolete ASIC OCD, and simultaneously exploit its improvement potential, while preserving the basic functionality.
Challenges
The radiation performance has been a challenge, as for any mixed analogue/digital ASIC for space application. Since this is a general-purpose device used in critical functions, full hardening is targeted, i.e. up to 100krad total dose and full immunity to destructive SEE.
Special demands have been put on the EOCD regarding failure handling, both on system and implementation levels, this especially considering that a failure critical function like HPC is integrated in an ASIC.
On implementation level, the freewheeling function imposed by the inductive loads has been most challenging.
System Architecture
The EOCD ASIC is a general purpose device, in the first place intended for generating HPC pulse commands according to ECSS-E-ST-50-14C, i.e. LV-HPC, HV-HPC and HC-HPC.
In order to eliminate risk for spurious commands, redundant logic functions are implemented to as far as possible achieve ‘fail silent’ behaviour. On-chip output supervision is also implemented for failure detection, providing the possibility to power off the device on board level in case of failure. Furthermore, an extra EOCD can operate in group mode, meaning that it can act as a second barrier at group level.
Slope control compatible with the ECSS HPC standard is implemented. The slope can be adjusted by means of a special input.
The EOCD does not include any system clock. All memory elements in the device are clocked and controlled by the interface signals.
The outputs are grouped in 4 groups, each with one HvIn input and 8 HvOut outputs. The 4 HvIn inputs are independent and can be biased with different voltages if desired. It is then of course also possible to bias them with the same voltage but via individual current limiters.
Plan
The study was performed as the following work packages:
- WP02A, Digital design
- WP02B, ASIC design
- WP02C, Prototype manufacturing
- WP03, Prototype testing
- WP04, Industrialisation
This flow was followed up to the validation of the EOCD prototypes but due to the re-spin parts of the work packages were repeated for EOCD v2. The following reviews have been held:
- EOCD ARTES 3_4 Kick-off Meeting
- CCN2 Final review
- Mid-Term Review
- TRR/TRB meeting
- TRR/TRB close-out meeting
- Final review
Current Status
The project is completed and the EOCD ASIC prototypes have been fully validated.
