Implementation and testing of a 32-Bit LEON processor for On-Board Computers in Satellite Control Systems

The advances in VLSI technology leading to availability of high performance microprocessors, ASICs/FPGAs, high density memories and also improved packaging technology for space applications has made miniaturization possible in spacecraft electronics. Traditionally, attitude and orbit control, telecommand, telemetry, sensor electronics, thermal management etc., are generally implemented as stand-alone sub-systems. The feasibility of miniaturization in spacecraft electronics has led to the integration of the above systems into a single on-board computer system to realize the same functions. This paper presents an on-board computer (OBC) system also known as the spacecraft Bus Management unit (BMU). Environmental and other constrains which render satellite computers to be different from that of equivalent ground machines and realization of such a computer using a 32 bit LEON3FT processor which is to be designed for the spacecraft application. Mil STD 1553 Protocol is the one of the major protocol which has to be sustained to perform the interaction with various other peripheral devices in a satellite