The sky’s the limit for testing
27 May 2011
Satellites’ durability is to be assured through ATSB’s use of Cantata++ 6.0.
Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB), the Malaysia-based global space technology company, has purchased Cantata++ 6.0 from IT services company IPL. It is the latest unit and integration testing software for C and C++ embedded systems developers.
ATSB focuses on research and development in the area of design and development of space-qualified systems, employing advanced and innovative technologies. As the pioneer and leader in the small satellite business in Malaysia, ATSB has recorded numerous achievements, including the successful launch of the world’s first remote sensing satellite launched into the Near Equatorial Orbit (NEqO), the RazakSAT, on 14 July 2009.
ATSB will be using Cantata++6.0 to unit test the computer systems (written in C code) that will be used on the next generation of Malaysian satellites. Two satellites are currently planned to be verified using Cantata++ 6.0, where it will be used to test on average 100 modules within the kernel and approximately twice as many modules again for the flight software. Commissioned by the Malaysian government, the two satellites are intended for earth observation and communications respectively, the first of which is scheduled for launch in 2015.
Phil Wray, Senior Director (Space Systems) at ATSB, comments: “A typical small earth observation satellite will cost in the order of $100 million, while launch costs will be in the region of a further $80 million. Given the obvious difficulties of conducting repairs when a satellite malfunctions, we have to be absolutely certain that all the components of the satellite are fully functional in all possible environments, both as individual units and as an integrated whole.”
The whole testing phase will run for several months, incorporating environment testing as well as operational stability. Every aspect of the satellite has to be physically tested under various conditions, including extreme heating and freezing and operation in vacuums. Each test will involve a week of continuous operation, cycling the temperature and conditions throughout. The software will also be tested to ensure it is as efficient as possible, as the resources on board the satellite are extremely constrained.
Cantata++ 6.0 will also be used by ATSB to ensure the satellites’ systems compliance with critically important relevant standards, including the Recommended Standards from the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS), ATSB’s own ISO 9001:2008 requirements and US military standards.
Wray adds: “Given the niche nature of our industry, there are few sector-specific overarching standards that we must adhere to. However, in order to secure the ongoing commercial value of the systems we are designing and building, we have to ensure that they are compliant with any and all standards within potential target markets. The conclusive way in which Cantata++ 6.0 is designed means that we can certify our own systems, with an independent tool, as compliant with multiple standards.”
Cantata++ 6.0 is built on the Eclipse 3.5.2 open standard architecture with the highest level of integration with the Eclipse Workbench. It is easily deployed and greatly simplifies the configuration of unit testing on target platforms, providing a complete test development environment for the creation, execution and analysis of unit and integration tests for C and C++. It also easily integrates with the developer desktop, compilers and embedded target platforms.
“The space industry is probably one of the most exacting and precise business sectors as the costs are so high and the price of failure so absolute. No risks can be taken with anything we can design, and so we needed a tool that could verify that our software design and build processes were 100% accurate, efficient and compliant. Cantata++ 6.0 is perfect for such a purpose as it is just as thorough as our own activities and ensures our systems’ full performance and the highest commercial value,” concludes Wray.
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