Technical Paper

Intl J. of Aeronautical & Space Sci. 12(3), 283287 (2011) DOI:10.5139/IJASS.2011.12.3.283

Ground Station Design for STSAT-3

at 0.4~1.05 m advanced spacecraft which are to be proven The objectives of KyungHee Kim*, Hyochoong Bang*, Jang-Soo Chae**, Hong-Young Park** Science and and Sang-Hyun in the space consist o Technology Satellite-3 (STSAT-3) ion battery, 2) mult Lee** showed in the figure 1 are to optimize structure, 3) high per technologies proven through the previous *Division of Aerospace Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejon 305-701, Korea computer, 4) small s small satellite program developed by regulator, 5) hall t Satellite Technology Research Center, **Satellite Technology Research Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejon 305-701, Korea antenna (Korea Ae Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Institute, 2007). Technology (SaTReC KAIST) to The ground stat demonstrate the advanced spacecraft bus provides the capabil Abstract payload technologies, and to train and control STSAT-3, to employees based space national space program. The Science and Technology Satellite-3 (STSAT-3) is a 150 kg class micro satellite of the with thetechnology fields. mission planning, and The main payloads of STSAT-3 are: STSAT-3 system consists of a space segment, ground segment, launch service segment, and various external interfaces including and distribute STSAT Multi-purpose Infrared Imaging System additional ground stations to support launch and early operation phases. The major ground segment is the ground station at satisfy the overall mis the Satellite Technology Research Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology site. The ground station provides * Professor, Corresponding author the capability to monitor and control STSAT-3, conduct STSAT-3 missionE-mail: andkhkim@ascl@kaist.ac.kr Tel:82-42-350-3758 planning, receive, process, and distribute STSAT-3 F payload data to satisfy the overall missions of STSAT-3. The ground station consists of the mission control element and the 3710 data receiving element. This ground station is designed with the concept of low cost and high efficiency. In this paper, the ** Another Senior Researcher requirements and design of the ground station that has been developed are examined. the Compact Imaging (MIRIS) and (Korea Aerospace

Spectrometer (COMIS). The MIRIS 2008).[Ed: Please system is efficiency formatting finished Key words: Science and Technology Satellite-3, Ground station, Low cost and highto measure infrared (IR) columns end in appr imaging of the Galaxy (at 1-2m example, at the end of wavelengths) and COMIS is to observe the hyper-spectral imaging of the Earths surface (in the regulator, near thrusters, solar power controlvisible and5) hall IR bands 6) array 1. Introduction antenna (Korea Aerospace Research Institute, 2007). The ground station of STSAT-3 provides the capability to The objectives of Science and Technology Satellite-3 The ground STSAT-3, to conduct STSAT-3 monitor and control station consists of the mission (STSAT-3) showed in the figure 1 are to optimize technologies mission control element (MCE) and the 2.1Operationalconc planning, and to receive, process, and distribute STSAT-3 proven through the previous small satellite program developed data receiving element (DRE). In this payload data to satisfy the overall missions of STSAT-3 (Korea by Satellite Technology Research Center, Korea Advanced paper, the requirement and design of the Aerospace station which is being developed ensure The goal of th Institute of Science and Technology (SaTReC KAIST) to ground Research Institute, 2008).[Ed: Please development for STS when formatting finished document that all columns end in demonstrate the advanced spacecraft bus and payload are examined. STSAT-3 for its technologies, and to train employees of the space technology using the low cost and fields. The main payloads of STSAT-3 are: Multi-purpose concept. For this goal Infrared Imaging System (MIRIS) and the Compact Imaging will be re-used or Spectrometer (COMIS). The MIRIS system is to measure STSAT-2 ground st ground station of the infrared (IR) imaging of the Galaxy (at 1-2m wavelengths) accumulated its herit and COMIS is to observe the hyper-spectral imaging of the station development Earths surface (in the visible and near IR bands at 0.4~1.05 orbit micro satellites m wavelengths). The advanced spacecraft bus technologies four low earth orbit m which are to be proven through STSAT-3 in the space consist 1992. of six items: 1) Li-ion battery, 2) multifunctional complex Figure 2 shows th structure, 3) high performance on-board computer, 4) small Fig. 1. The structure of Science and Technology Satellite-3. concept of the g STSAT-3 and the p In the figure, user ** Professor, Corresponding author mission to the MCE ** E-mail: khkim@ascl@kaist.ac.kr Tel:82-42-350-3758 Fax:82-42-350-3710 verifies the requests, ** Another Senior Researcher
Received: April 05, 2010 Accepted: September 11, 2011 Copyright The Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences

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Intl J. of Aeronautical & Space Sci. 12(3), 283287 (2011)

and uploads to ng out the mission, the measured DRE. The DRE ed data and then server. The user e distributed data heir research. a more detailed ncept. The user and the COMIS sion plans to the even days before. cks the validation sed on the status informs the user or rejection. The d respond with the ation. The ground e request into ommand files are viewed, approved, STSAT-3 at least

appropriate places. For example, at the end of a page.] STSAT-3 should be operated together, The ground station consists of the mission control element this ground station should be designed for (MCE) and the data receiving element (DRE). In this paper, simultaneous operation. To meet this the requirement and design of the ground station which is condition, the software integrated control beingscheme studied by Bester et al. (2003) is developed are examined. considered. The scheme shown in the Fig. 5 can operate two satellites with one 2. Ground Station Design ground station. This scheme consists of one control PC and several operating PCs for the STSAT-2 2.1 Operational conceptsand STSAT-3. Each operating PC has unique operating programs ground station development for STSAT-3 The goal of the for each satellite. The control PC can autonomously control is to control STSAT-3 for its successful missioneach the using operating high efficiency concept. For this goal, low cost and the PC based on a control list such the as the contact time information of the MCE and DRE will be re-used or upgraded with the STSAT-2 satellite, periodic time synchronization ground station heritage. The ground station of the SaTReC and the orbital information. This scheme KAIST has accumulated its heritage network for the also includes the external through ground station development for five low earthclosed loop network the control PC, and the orbit micro satellites and operationthe operating PCs for their security. 1992. for of four low earth orbit micro satellites since

Figure 2 shows the basic operational concept of the ground station for STSAT-3 and the payload user groups. In the figure, user groups request the mission to the MCE. Next, the MCE verifies the requests, converts them into command sequences, and uploads to STSAT-3. After carrying out the mission, STSAT-3 downloads the measured mission data to the DRE. The DRE archives the downloaded data and then transfers to the data server. The user groups finally obtain the distributed data and utilize the data for their research. Figure 3 shows a more detailed mission operational concept. The user groups of the MIRIS and the COMIS request a weekly mission plans to the ground station at least seven days before. The ground station checks the validation of the mission plans based on the status of STSAT-3 and then informs the user groups of acceptance or rejection. The user groups confirm and respond with the result to the ground station. The ground station converts the request into command files. The command files are simulated, validated, reviewed, approved, and finally uploaded to STSAT-3 at least one day before.

2.2Architecture

f the mission, the signed with the back-up tracking, (TT&C) systems. nceptual design of is TT&C system : 1) the antenna -frequency (RF) -band subsystem oller, GSC). This e-band functions, omously selecting downlink and the e TT&C systems et count received concept is useful g the data of the TT&C systems of the uplink, the by controlling the he status of two , and the radio SSI) of STSAT-3. which is designed low cost and high nd upgraded from station. Further, STSAT-2 and

Fig. 2. The basic operational concept of the ground station interface for Science and Technology Satellite-3 (STSAT-3) and the user Science and groups.

Technology Satellite-3 (

Fig. 4. The conceptual design of the tracking, telemetry and command system of the ground station. command tracking, telemetry and

The architectur is shown in Fig. 6. two antennas: 1) 1 2) 3.7 m S-band m parabolic re download X-band will be upgraded t as a primary ante parabolic reflecto upload and downlo full duplex back-u 3.7 m antenna is existent system. are efficient for satellite. The gro the MCE for cont the DRE for rece The hardware b software block d station are show respectively.

Fig. 3. The mission operational concept of the ground station. detailed Fig. 5. The software integrated control scheme. 2.2Architectureofthegroundstation

The architecture of the ground station is shown in Fig. 6. The ground station has DOI:10.5139/IJASS.2011.12.3.283 2.2Architectureofthegroundstation 284two antennas: 1) 13 m X/S-band antenna, 2) 3.7 m S-band antenna. The current 13 The architecture of the ground station m parabolic reflector antenna can is shown in Fig. 6. The ground station has download X-band and S-band signals, but two antennas: 1) 13 m X/S-band antenna, will be upgraded to upload S-band signals 2) 3.7 m S-band antenna. The current 13 as a primary antenna system. The 3.7 m m parabolic reflector antenna can

KyungHee Kim Ground Station Design for STSAT-3

For safe operation of the mission, the ground station is designed with the concept of primary and back-up tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) systems. Figure 4 shows the conceptual design of the TT&C system. This TT&C system consists of three parts: 1) the antenna subsystem, 2) radiofrequency (RF) subsystem, 3) base-band subsystem (ground station controller, GSC). This GSC, which has the base-band functions, is designed for autonomously selecting one of the primary downlink and the back-up downlink of the TT&C systems by monitoring the packet count received from STSAT-3. This concept is useful for efficiently receiving the data of the satellite using two TT&C systems simultaneously. In case of the uplink, the operator can select one by controlling the GSC after monitoring the status of two TT&C uplink systems, and the radio signal strength index (RSSI) of STSAT-3. The ground station, which is designed with the concept for the low cost and high efficiency, is re-used and upgraded from the previous ground station. Further, because all of the STSAT-2 and STSAT-3 should be operated together, this ground station should be designed for simultaneous operation. To meet this condition, the software integrated control scheme studied by Bester et al. (2003) is considered. The scheme shown in the Fig. 5 can operate two satellites with one ground station. This scheme consists of one control PC and several operating PCs for the STSAT-2 and STSAT-3. Each operating PC has unique operating programs for each satellite. The control PC can autonomously control each operating PC based on a control list such as the contact time information of the satellite, periodic time synchronization and the orbital information. This scheme also includes the external network for the control PC, and the closed loop network for the operating PCs for their security.

The architecture of the ground station is shown in Fig. 6. The ground station has two antennas: 1) 13 m X/S-band antenna, 2) 3.7 m S-band antenna. The current 13 m parabolic reflector antenna can download X-band and S-band signals, but will be upgraded to upload S-band signals as a primary antenna system. The 3.7 m parabolic reflector antenna system can upload and download S-band signals as a full duplex back-up antenna system. The 3.7 m antenna is to be re-used from the existent system. Two antenna systems are efficient for safely operating the satellite. The ground station consists of the MCE for controlling the satellite and the DRE for receiving the mission data. The hardware block diagram and the software block diagram of the ground station are shown in Figs. 7 and 8 respectively. 2.2.1 Design of the hardware The hardware system consists of the antenna subsystem, RF subsystem, base-band subsystem (GSC; data receiving controller [DRC]), and operating computer subsystem. These antenna subsystems can track satellites via manual, program, and auto modes, transmit command and flight S/W to satellites with the S-band uplink, receive telemetry and ancillary data from satellites with S-band downlink, and receive the mission data with X-band downlink. The RF subsystem can modulate and transmit the S-band signal, and receive and demodulate the S-band/X-band signal. The GSC can modulate and demodulate into FM/FSK with 9.6 and 38.4 Kbps data rates. It is also capable of data formatting, path control, and remote control. The DRC can handle 16 Mbps data rate and demodulate the QPSK signal for the mission data. The Control PCs to operate the satellite and the receiving PCs to download and archive the payload data operate on Microsoft Windows XP. 2.2.2 Design of the software As illustrated in Fig. 8, the software system consists of,

2.2 Architecture of the ground station

Fig. 6. The ground station architecture.

Fig. 7. The hardware block diagram of the ground station.

2.2.1Designofthehardware 2.2.1Designofthehardware The hardware system consists of the antenna subsystem, RF subsystem, baseThe hardware band subsystem (GSC;system receiving of the data consists antenna subsystem, RF subsystem, basecontroller [DRC]), and operating band subsystem These antenna computer subsystem. (GSC; data receiving controller and subsystems can [DRC]),satellites operating track via

2.2.2Designofthesoftware
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As 2.2.2Designofthesoftware illustrated in Fig. 8, the software system consists of, OS, mission analysis, planning, As illustrated in Fig. 8, the and and simulation (MAPS), software system TTC can control TT&C consists of, OS, mission analysis, DRE. The planning, and simulationreal-time and hardware autonomously both in (MAPS), DRE. The TTC can control and off-line. The TTC also includes theTT&C hardware autonomously both in real-time
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Intl J. of Aeronautical & Space Sci. 12(3), 283287 (2011)

OS, mission analysis, planning, and simulation (MAPS), and DRE. The TTC can control TT&C hardware autonomously both in real-time and off-line. The TTC also includes the functions for controlling tracking, Rx/Tx, and GSC. The tracking program can control antenna tracking. The Rx/Tx can monitor the status of the RF signal and control the Doppler shift compensation. The GSC can handle input/output data rates of 9.6 and 38.4 Kbps and control the interface between the antenna system and the operating system. The OS includes the functions for monitoring and controlling the on-board computer (OBC), telecommand and telemetry (TCTM) and attitude and orbit control subsystem (AOCS) in real-time. The OBC software that controls the satellite in real-time can upload the commands to control the tasks of the satellite and to perform the mission, as well as download the files generated from the satellite. The TCTM software can receive, process, display, and archive the telemetry and upload the raw commands instead of through the on-board computer of the satellite as a contingency. The AOCS software can monitor and control the attitude of the satellite. The MAPS, which has the function of mission planning and analysis, includes the functions of real-time log, status of health (SOH), and STSAT-3 simulation (S3SIM). The function of the real-time log is to monitor the log such as the status of the on-board computer, tasks, and units of real-time log, status of health (SOH), and the satellite. The SOH has the function of analyzing the STSAT-3 simulation (S3SIM). The real-time log, status of health (SOH), and telemetry. The S3Sim can verify commandsto monitor function of the real-time log is before uploading STSAT-3 simulation (S3SIM). The them the log such as the status detectedon-board and also analyze anomalies of the by the satellite. function of the real-time log is to monitor computer, includes the functions of tracking, RX, The DRE software tasks, and units of the satellite. and the log such as the status of the on-board The SOH has the function analyzing the receiving and archivingtasks, and of Theof the satellite. computer, system (RAS). units RAS can receive telemetry. The S3Sim can verify and archiveThemission data. function of analyzing the the SOH has the commands before uploading them and also The software of the ground station has a part in common telemetry. The S3Sim can verify analyze anomalies detected by the commands before ground support equipment with the software of the electricaluploading them and also satellite. The DRE software includes the analyze anomalies detected by the (EGSE) to verify the performance of the satellite. To reduce functions of tracking, RX, and receiving satellite. The DRE software includes the the development timesystem (RAS). The RAS can and archiving and cost, this common part functions of tracking, RX, station and the be designed together for both the ground and receiving can receive and archive the mission data. and archiving system (RAS). The RAS can receive and archive the mission data.

EGSE. This software uses serial line internet protocol (SLIP) protocol for processing the packet. The S/W structure shown in Fig. 9 includes the following functions: - Graphical user interface for controlling and monitoring the satellite - Commands processing - Task processing including the status of the satellite - Event processing for monitoring and controlling ground station H/W - Database managing and data archiving - Packet processing for the communication interface This graphical user interface has functions for processing various input data, including user and script-based command files. This script-based interface can perform command file autonomously during the operating time. Thus, its interface can reduce operating errors and replace changed commands easily. The commands processing function provides defined input commands decoding, processing, and verification using the command database. The function also includes raw commands processing for basic commands, single commands processing for each single command, and macro commands processing for multiple commands. The task processing function can monitor and process the telemetry using the processing -data Packet satellite status database. This task processing for the also communicationof monitoring and controlling the unit, has the function interface processing for the OBC,- file, Packet payload, and scenario of the satellite. attitude, communication interface The event processing function can monitor and control the

9. The structure of the ground station S/W. Fig. This graphical user interface has functions for processing various input This graphical user interface has The software of the ground station has DOI:10.5139/IJASS.2011.12.3.283 data, including user and script-based 286 functions for processing various input a part in common with the software of the command files. This script-based The software of the ground station has data, including user and script-based electrical ground support equipment interface can perform command file a part in common with the software of the command files. This script-based (EGSE) to verify the performance of the autonomously during the operating time. electrical ground support equipment interface can perform command file satellite. To reduce the development time Thus, its interface can reduce operating (EGSE) to verify the performance of the autonomously during the operating time. and cost, this common part can be errors and replace changed commands satellite. To reduce the development time Thus, its interface can reduce operating designed together for both the ground easily. The commands processing function and cost, this common part can be
Fig. 8. The software block diagram of the ground station.

KyungHee Kim Ground Station Design for STSAT-3

ground station H/W according to acquisition of signal and loss of signal events of the satellite. The packet processing function can process data to transmit and receive the signal through the ground station equipments. This packet processing uses the SLIP protocol for communication.

STSAT-3.

Acknowledgements
We acknowledge that this paper was supported by STSAT-3 program.

3. Conclusions
The ground station has been developed and operated successfully since the SaTReC KAIST was established in 1989. With this heritage, the existent ground station will be re-used and upgraded to reduce the cost, risk, and development time (Kim et al., 2003). The software integrated scheme was considered to make it possible to simultaneously operate more than two satellites with one ground station for cost efficiency. Most of all, it is known that some software of the ground station can be compatible with the EGSE software through previous development experiences. Therefore, these common functions of the software will be able to be developed and used for both the ground station and EGSE (Kim et al., 2008). Consequentially, the ground station software will be developed and verified safely through the development and verification of the EGSE software, and the cost, time and risk from both developments will be reduced considerably. The performance of the designed ground station will be proven throughout the launch, and early operation of

References
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