Advanced System Software for the SC-603E Spacecraft Computer, 10-9183
Printer Friendly VersionPrincipal Investigators
Ronnie L. Killough
Michael K. McLelland
Maarten H. Versteeg
Paul B. Wood
Inclusive Dates: 03/01/00 - 12/20/01
Background - For almost 18 years, SwRI's Space Science and Engineering Division has developed spacecraft avionics systems. To date, SwRI-developed spacecraft avionics systems have flown on more than 40 missions, all without an on-orbit failure. The Space Science and Engineering Division has developed the next-generation spacecraft computer, designated the SC-603E, based on the PowerPC 603E architecture.
To continue to succeed in this arena, SwRI must respond to two emerging trends. First, the performance requirements for commercial and scientific space missions are more demanding as mission complexity increases. Second, the NASA administrator has established "better-faster-cheaper" as NASA's new motto. To remove the inherent conflict between these two trends, NASA has begun to push for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions, a concept not previously considered. Faster and cheaper development for software requires building on top of an existing executive and capitalizing on software reuse. Because the software is more complex and debugging more difficult, better means using sophisticated development and test tools. These tools, traditionally obtainable only for use in PC and workstation-based ground applications, must now be made available for spacecraft flight software development.
Because of its use in the successful Mars Pathfinder mission, the VxWorks™ real-time operating system has become a popular COTS selection in the space industry. The Space Science and Engineering Division, therefore, has determined that its latest generation spacecraft computers must be capable of operating with VxWorks™. Through the Space Station Furnace Facility and Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration projects, SwRI's Automation and Data Systems Division has gained significant experience with VxWorks™ and in the design and development of system and application flight software.
Approach - The goal of this project is to develop a flight-qualified bootstrap program, a VxWorks™ BSP, and a suite of device drivers and utilities for the new SC-603E computer. Hardware modifications necessary to facilitate BSP integration and to enhance performance and commercial compatibility will be identified and implemented. Finally, the ability of the SC-603E computer to use advanced COTS software debug and test tools will be demonstrated after BSP is complete.
Accomplishments - The VxWorks™ BSP has been successfully developed and has passed key portions of the BSP Validation Suite. A slave board containing an Ethernet interface has been integrated, facilitating the use of sophisticated software debug and performance analysis tools over the high-speed interface. The software is being maintained in a laboratory that includes a UNIX workstation, VxWorks™ development and test tools, a VME rack, and a sophisticated logic analyzer. SwRI has already received numerous inquiries regarding the SC-603E board and the VxWorks™-based software package developed under internal research funds. Based on these inquiries, additional research into the implementation of memory protection domains using the SC-603's memory management unit may be conducted.
