Command and Data Handling

Introduction
The cubesat is to use a centralized processor system for command and data handli
ng.
This means that the single processor must handle raw data sent from the various
subsystems. This system was chosen over a multi-processor system where some subs
ystems would have an individual processor. The advantages of a centralized syste
m are simplicity, less weight and less power consumption. This is system is the
brains of the satellite and is responsible for operating the satellite.
Functional specifications:
The subsystem shall identify data and its source
Shall encode and decode data
Shall support required data structure from hardware
Shall manage power and power distribution
Shall identify data direction
Shall acquire and identify purpose and functionality of raw data
Shall perform all required analog to digital conversions
Should support simple reprogramming from ground station
Shall have a watchdog system to prevent and repair errors
Should do floating point math
Should requires low development time of software
Shall monitor diagnostic data such as temperature, voltage, and currents
Shall communicate and trigger all other subsystems such as; communication, paylo
ad, attitude control to conserve power
Should send correct data and check for errors when required
Shall support real time operating system
Shall have rs-232 port
Should support I2C and SPI Hardware
Should support a C compiler
Should provide enough memory for all sub-systems
Technical specifications:
The subsystem shall perform multitasking
Shall be inactive until deployment
Shall deactivated before launch
Should support any checks required at any point until launch
Should have 5 volt input
Shall have hardware to store payload data
Shall be light, compact and consume very little power
Electronics should weigh less that 100grams
Micro controller should weigh less than 15 grams
Micro controller should not require more that 0.3 Watts
Shall be relatively small as volume is extremely limited i.e. 8cm x 8cm linearly
Should wait several minutes after power up and deployment to activate
Shall power up on deployment
Shall endure thermal-vacuum, shock and vibration of 100% of critical loads durin
g launch level scenario