For the Flying Laptop, the On-Board Software that controls algorithm computation, mode switches and reactions on malfunctions, is developed inhouse at the IRS. Based on an existing RTEMS kernel all layers on top of that have to be implemented.

These are the software framework in general, hardware drivers to communicate to peripheral devices, the software datapool and on top of that control algorithms for every subsystem. For achieving a robust and reliable software, testing will also play a big role throughout the software development process. This will happen both in the MDVE and with especially designed test algorithms. As there is no system that will always be without malfunctions, a reasonable and reliable Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) functions has to be implemented as well. All of these points still stand at the beginning of their work.

For students who are interested in taking part in the development of the OBSW of our small satellite Flying Laptop, there is still a lot to do. The communication with the ground station will be based on ESA's Packet Utilization Standard (PUS) where services will have to be chosen, implemented and tested. Also the software framework is to be improved and tested. Therefore, test algorithms have to be developed and apllied, malfunctions have to be identified and corrected. Exception handling has to be implemented and the FDIR concept has to be developed. This means defining the reactions of the satellite on certain malfunctions and determining the appropriate handling of them. For all we know, there might be topics we didn't consider until now. So feel free to contact us in the OBC-Laboratory at the IRS so we can find a topic according to your interests.

The software is implemented in C/C++, therefore experience in working with C/C++ or similar high-level programming languages as well as being fluent in English language is required.

For further information please contact Rouven Witt.