Real-Time Simulations of SpaceWire On-board Data Handling Networks

Abstract: SpaceWire is a widely used on-board data-handling network technology for spacecraft.
This project aimed to investigate the way in which SpaceWire is being used in on-board data handling networks on scientific spacecraft.
A real-time SpaceWire network simulation was made, modeled on the data handling networks of the future ESA missions BepiColombo MPO and Solar Orbiter.
The CCSDS space packet protocol and the ECSS Packet Utilization Standard (PUS) were employed for the structuring of packets in the simulation.
The SpaceWire EGSE device from STAR-Dundee Ltd. was used to perform simulations of scientific instruments using SpaceWire. Multiple scripts for the EGSE device were created to simulate the packet generation behavior of the different configuration of the instruments.
Software for control and monitoring of multiple EGSE was implemented. A prototype for a generic PUS network node software was also developed. Additionally packet libraries for CCSDS and PUS were developed.
A demonstration network was built using SpaceWire testing equipment, encompassing
all of the developed tools.
Finally the EGSE was evaluated in conjunction with the simulation, including the device’s support for generating CCSDS and PUS packets. Several improvements and additional features for the EGSE device and scripting language were suggested.