On-Board Data Handling

(OBDH)

Kahoot tests
 Lessons 1 & 2
(OBDH)

INTRODUCTION & THE COMPLETE

CDHS ARCHITECTURE
1. QUIZ
Is the Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) somehow related with the CDHS?

Correct option:
Yes, AOCS interfaces with the CDHS (e.g. TC reconfiguration or TM downlink)
Other options:
No, they are completely different subsystem with any relation.
It depends on the CDHS architecture.
Yes, AOCS can be considered as part of the CDHS.
2. QUIZ

How many RTUs should be used in large satellites?

Correct option:
From 0 to as many as needed pending on satellite CDHS design or architecture.
Other options:
At least 1 for large satellites.
RTUs are only used in Cubesats.
The RTU is not part of the CDHS.
 3. QUIZ

Is the RAM memory part of the CDHS?

Correct option:
Yes, as part of the data storage functionality.
Other options:
No, is part of the spacecraft bus platform.
Yes, as any other electronics component in the spacecraft.
No, only in Cubesats.
4. QUIZ

Housekeeping is part of the “On-board surveillance and

Reconfiguration module” or is it part of the “FDIR” function?

Correct option:
Neither of them.
Other options:
Both of them.
It is part of the FDIR function.
It is part of the RM function.
5. QUIZ

The Command Pulse Distribution Unit (CPDU)…

Correct option:
…is implemented in hardware (no software is involved)
Other options:
…handles both nominal and HPC (High Priority Commands)
…only accepts HPC for commanding the Power Control and Distribution Unit.
…is optional in the majority of CDHS architectures in nowadays satellites.
 Lessons 3, 4 & 5
(OBDH)
ARCHITECTURE EXAMPLES | PAYLOAD CDHS ARCHITECTURES
|OBDH SUBSYSTEM IN CUBESATS, CDHS DESIGN PROCESS,
ONBOARD COMMUNICATIONS LINKS INTRODUCTION - MIL-STD-
1553B
1. QUIZ

The traceability matrix…

Correct option:
Is a tool used for requirements traceability along the project
life.
Other options:
…is not used for CDHS, only used at subsystem level.
…is not shared with the costumer, only for developers internal
use.
…is defined and updated by the project manager.
2. QUIZ

We can differentiate three different concept approximations for on-board

communication link topologies:

Correct option:
Centralized, bus and network.
Other options:
Direct link, bus network and centralized.
Bus, router and direct link.
Centralized, direct link and bus.
3. QUIZ

Network topology could result inefficient and complex for smaller

satellites:

Correct option:
True, for smaller satellites centralized option may be more direct and simpler.
Other options:
False, it is specifically recommended for small satellites.
False, networks permits to handle faulty devices in a more tolerant way.
True, but only in the case of Cubesats.
4. QUIZ

A dedicated data transponder and mass memory for payload

data downlink is more common when…

Correct option:
The payload generates at high rates a large amount of data.
Other options:
The satellite is a CubeSat.
The satellite operates in a geosynchronous orbit.
The satellite´s OBC is implemented using FPGAs.
5. QUIZ

All the components shall be used ALWAYS within the limits of use
defined by the manufacturer.

Correct option:
True, we should not use them out of the defined maximum ratings.
Other options:
False, it is allowed in certain missions as Cubesats missions.
False, we can go out of these margins but only above a certain margin.
True, and those limits will be directly used for the electronics design.
6. QUIZ

CDHS is…

Correct option:
…usually of the latest subsystems of the spacecraft to be defined.
Other options:
…usually the first subsystem to be defined.
…is defined at EM level during the qualification phase.
…is defined in parallel to the thermal subsystem.
7. TRUE OR FALSE

Specification definition is not relevant for the Onboard Data

Handling Subsystem.

Correct option:
False
8. TRUE OR FALSE

CubeSats volume, mass and power limits are more extreme than other
satellites. Therefore, CDHS is usually highly integrated.

Correct option:
True
 Lessons 5 & 6
(OBDH)

ONBOARD COMMUNICATIONS LINKS

INTRODUCTION - MIL-STD-1553B & CAN
1. QUIZ
A Bus Monitor records a Command Word issued by the OBC with the following bit
values after the SYNC: 00001010101000100.

Correct option:
It is a command issued by the OBC for the RT ID code: “1”
Other options:
The bit of parity (odd parity) should be 1 (as required for a command)
It is a broadcast command from the OBC
Terminal Flag is 0
2. QUIZ
1553B uses the Manchester II coding (rising->0). In the image how many bits are
there and what are their values?

Correct option:
4 bits: 1011
Other options:
5 bits: 10110
5 bits: 01001
4 bits: 0100
3. TRUE OR FALSE

CAN bus allows various devices on the bus to send data to one another (multi-
master), as it is the case of 1553B

Correct option:
False
4. TRUE OR FALSE

Terminating resistors are optional in CAN bus

Correct option:
False
5. QUIZ

Arbitration in CAN bus is

Correct option:
Implemented in hardware using “recessive” and “dominant”
signals.
Other options:
Used data block transfer, being a service of the session layer.
Implemented by the user in the application layer.
Not used.
6. TRUE OR FALSE
The image shows a fully cross-strapped example of a 1553B bus implementation.

Correct option:
True
7. QUIZ
In the schematic shown in the picture…

Correct option:
The CAN controller is able to access to only 1 bus at a time.
Other options:
Is a parallel configuration including redundancy for the transceivers.
Is a selective approximation, not recommended for CAN bus.
The RT selects the channel for data transmission.
 Lessons 7 (I & II)
(OBDH)

SPACEWIRE , I2C & ETHERNET

1. QUIZ

There are two type of addressing in SpaceWire networks:

Correct option:
Path addressing and logical addressing
Other options:
Path addressing & direct link addressing.
Router and Direct link.
Switch matrix and path addressing.
2. QUIZ
SpaceWire uses Data and Strobe. Define the logic values of the signals
indicated as “?” in the picture.

Correct option:
0110
Other options:
1001
1010
0101
3. TRUE OR FALSE

SpaceWire: the data bits of a data symbol are sent least significant
bit first.

Correct option:
True
4. QUIZ

Different nodes of a bus can be “master” using I2C?

Correct option:
Yes, but just 1 at a time.
Other options:
No, just the OBC can be the master in the bus.
Yes, is a multi-master bus and up to 3 nodes can be master at
the same time.
No, this only happens in MIL-STD-1553B.
5. TRUE OR FALSE

SPI is a single-master communication protocol.

Correct option:
True
6. QUIZ

ETHERNET: two stations start transmitting data at the same

time, then a collision occurs, and both lie off…

Correct option:
Transmitting again for a time interval which is randomly
selected.
Other options:
And an error is issued.
False. Transmission continues at the same time as ethernet
allows it.
False. It is not possible using ethernet to have a collision.
7. TRUE OR FALSE

It is not possible to use redundant wiring using Ethernet or

SpaceWire

Correct option:
False
 Lessons 8 & 9
(OBDH)

TELECOMMAND/TELEMETRY & DATA

HANDLING AND PROCESSING I
1. QUIZ

The safe mode in a S/C is an operating mode guaranteeing the

spacecraft safety and essential functions operability and

Correct option:
all non-essential functions are either powered off or disabled.
Other options:
shall be the nominal state of the satellite.
cannot be ensured, the space conditions do not allow “safe” operation.
is the same than survival mode.
2. TRUE OR FALSE

One CPDU (Command Pulse Distribution Unit) may be able to

drive in the order of one hundred hard-wired output lines.

Correct option:
True
3. QUIZ

FDIR recovery basic objective is recover in time from the fault

or failure.

Correct option:
Do nothing and wait for On-Ground command is a recovery strategy.
Other options:
Shall be done ONLY on-board without, in any case, On-ground intervention.
The Reconfiguration Module is not related with recovery.
Recovery phase in FDIR is implemented entirely On-ground always.
4. QUIZ

A mechanism used in error/failure detection is…

Correct options:
Watchdog.
Voting on multiple copies of vital memory data.
Other options:
Enter in survival mode.
Enter in safe mode.
5. TRUE OR FALSE

The TM function is almost always operated in cold redundancy

and the TC in hot redundancy.

Correct option:
True
6. TRUE OR FALSE

For the OBT synchronisation, the Phase-locked loop method is

usually preferred to the re-synchronisation method.

Correct option:
True
7. TRUE OR FALSE

The zero of the OBT counter is stablished in each mission and

the AIT time can be used as a reference (between others)

Correct option:
False
 Lessons 10
(OBDH)

DATA HANDLING AND PROCESSING II

1. QUIZ

The software storage memory in the processing function is a

non-volatile memory.

Correct option:
True, if needed it can be modified from ground (turning off the protection).
Other options:
False, if needed it has to changed from ground, so it is RAM or Flash.
True, this memory is not modified during the whole mission.
False, these memories are usually volatile DDR3 memories.
2. TRUE OR FALSE

Is it possible to run the Central Software of the spacecraft in

different CPUs?

Correct option:
True
3. QUIZ

Is it possible to run different applications of the on-board

software in just only 1 CPU?

Correct option:
Yes. Several applications co-existing with the help of a hypervisor
Other options:
No, because the reliability will be highly reduced.
No, because the power consumption will increase drastically.
Nome of the other answers are correct.
4. TRUE OR FALSE

It is NOT possible to use platform data storage like a classical

hard disk with files and directories.

Correct option:
False
5. QUIZ

Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) may be far from the On-Board

Computer (OBC), distributed along the satellite.

Correct option:
True, a digital bus is used for connecting the OBC and the RTU
Other options:
All the other answers are false.
False, for noise reduction and reliability RTU are close to the OBC.
True, but there can be just 1 RTU in the satellite.
6. TRUE OR FALSE

The Remote-Control Interface is a module of the Remote

Terminal Unit used for interface with the digital bus of the OBC.

Correct option:
True
7. QUIZ

The Mass Memory Supervisor in the payload data storage

Correct option:
Communicates with the OBC Central Software for commanding and monitoring
Other options:
Is a block included in the OBC and not in the payload data storage function.