Solution
In satellites, solar panels serve a critical role in charging the satellite and allowing it to fulfill its mission. If there is a problem with the rotation of the panels, it will disrupt the satellite's movement, changing its functions and purpose.
Our team designed the ATS Controller, NiOX 2100, a microcontroller-based data acquisition and control system that is connected to the Solar Array Drive Electronics (SADE) through cables, to prevent such a mishap and to regulate the panels. Depending on the number of SADA units to be tested, the same ATS Controller can be linked to one or two SADE units at the same time.
NiOX View, the console software, works as a master host system, reading data from the controller and displaying it. It can also give the controller the commands it needs. Any commands, such as power turning on/off the power, issuing many sets of commands from the console, or individually issuing a group of commands through the console to the controller. If there is a problem in the command, we can force shutdown or a similar/related set of commands.
The solutions incorporated were:
- Built a Zynq microcontroller-based data acquisition and control system, NiOX 2100
- Developed NiOX View, a console software that operates as a master host system reading the data from the controller and displaying them
- Hardware and software solutions for data acquisition, monitoring and control