OUFTI-2's on-orbit, hot reprogramming of on-board computer (OBC): design, implementation and tests

Abstract

Today embedded systems are used in many domains and they can execute complex software. Reprogramming the systems is a functionality that can really be useful to correct issues that could remain in the software at the end of the developments. In this work, the different methods that can be used to remotely reprogram embedded systems at run-time are explored. A solution to reprogram the on-board computer of the nanosatellite OUFTI-2 was designed and developed. This solution is based on the sending of an entire new software to the satellite, and the use of this new software instead of the previous one. A particular attention is given to the reliability of the transmission of the new software. Indeed, having a corrupted software executed on the on-board computer could lead to the failure of the missions of the satellite. This work describes the architecture of the solution, and how it was implemented. It also explains the different tests performed to ensure that the reprogramming mechanism works properly.