Hardware implementation of Configurable High dataRate Test Station for Data Handling System of Earth Observation Satellites

Earth observation satellites are used to observe the earth surfaces, sea surfaces, analysis of anthropogenic effects on earth, earth imaging, climatic monitoring, ocean currents etc. The observation instruments are installed on satellites for remote sensing purposes. Major imaging observing instruments includes Panchromatic CCD/TDI cameras, multispectral CCD/TDI cameras and SAR payloads. A Satellite development involves rigorous testing before qualification. Qualification of satellite in turn involves a challenge of developing a robust, configurable and standardised test station to deliver flight qualified subsystems with zero defects for satellite applications. Developing such a test station for subsystems and usage across multiple satellite missions reduces the turn around time, cost of components, testing methods, overall spacecraft development schedule and increases the reliability of the subsystems. This paper addresses the design and development of a configurable test station that is suitable to test the Data handling system of multiple satellite missions. The paper includes the architecture of test station and necessary utilities required to qualify the entire base band data handling system. The paper also addresses the configurable/programmable hardware and software that allow reusing of different interfaces of the test system with other subsystems to meet multiple satellite missions. Keywords— Test Station, Image Simulator, BDH, Solid State Recorder, XBS interface, Playback interface, Configurable.