NanoSat MO Framework

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NanoSat MO Framework
Original author(s)European Space Agency and Graz University of Technology
PlatformNanosatellites
TypeSoftware Framework
Websitenanosat-mo-framework.github.io

The NanoSat MO Framework (NMF) is a software framework for nanosatellites based on CCSDS Mission Operations services. It facilitates not only the monitoring and control of the nanosatellite software applications, but also the interaction with the nanosatellite platform. This is achieved by using the latest CCSDS standards for monitoring and control, and by exposing services for common peripherals among nanosatellite platforms. Furthermore, it is capable of managing the software on-board by exposing a set of services for software management.[1]

In simple terms, it introduces the concept of apps in space that can be installed, and then simply started and stopped from ground. Apps can retrieve data from the nanosatellite platform through a set of well-defined Platform services. Additionally, it includes CCSDS standardized services for monitoring and control of apps. An NMF App can be easily developed, distributed, and deployed on a spacecraft. [2]

There is a Software Development Kit (SDK) in order to facilitate the development of software based on the NanoSat MO Framework. This SDK allows quick development of software that is capable of running on ground and/or in space.

The reference implementation of the NanoSat MO Framework will be used in ESA's OPS-SAT mission. [3]

Architecture Specifications[]

The NanoSat MO Framework is built upon the CCSDS Mission Operations services Architecture and therefore it inherits its properties such as being transport-agnostic, multi-domain, and programming language independent. Additionally, it is independent from any specific nanosatellite platform.[3]

The software framework includes 5 sets of MO services. The first 3 are Standardized by the CCSDS and the other 2 are bespoke interfaces: [1]

  • COM services
  • Common services
  • Monitor and Control services
  • Platform services
  • Software Management services

The NanoSat MO Framework is split in two segments. First, the “Ground Segment” just like in any traditional spacecraft system. Second, the “NanoSat Segment” which is the equivalent of the space segment but because the target of the framework are nanosatellites, it contains a more specialized name. An NMF Composite is a software component that consists of interconnected services specialized for a certain purpose and to be deployed on the NanoSat segment or Ground segment. The NMF Composites are based on SOA’s service composability design principle that encourages reusing existing services and combine them together to build an advanced solution. The naming convention for the NMF Composites is: <Segment> MO <Purpose> [1]

The defined set of NMF Composites are:

  • NanoSat MO Monolithic
  • NanoSat MO Supervisor
  • NanoSat MO Connector
  • Ground MO Adapter
  • Ground MO Proxy

The objective of the NMF Composites is to provide prebuilt components that allow quick development of new software solutions that are interoperable in end-to-end scenarios.

The NanoSat MO Framework defines an NMF App as an on-board software application based on the NanoSat MO Framework. An NMF App can be developed by integrating the NanoSat MO Connector component into the software application. NMF Apps are expected to be started, monitored, stopped, and/or killed by the NanoSat MO Supervisor component. [1]

Reference Implementation in Java[]

Java Implementation
Developer(s)European Space Agency and Graz University of Technology
Initial release18 December 2017 (2017-12-18)[4]
PlatformJava
LicenseEuropean Space Agency Public License - v2.0[5]
Websitegithub.com/esa

The reference implementation provides a concrete implementation of the specifications of the NanoSat MO Framework in the Java programming language. It was used to discover problems, errors and ambiguities in the interfaces. The implementation is mature and the first version is available online. [1]

This reference implementation also serves as the basis for the tools of the Software Development Kit which can be used by other developers.

The reference implementation in Java is currently maintained by the European Space Agency and it is available online for free (on GitHub) under an open-source license. This license allows anyone to reuse the software for the nanosatellite mission without any major restrictions. [5]

NMF SDK[]

The NanoSat MO Framework Software Development Kit (NMF SDK) is a set of development tools and software source code that facilitate the creation of applications with the NanoSat MO Framework. [6]

It is composed of:

  • Demos for NMF Ground software development
  • Demos of NMF Apps
  • Consumer Test Tool (CTT)
  • NMF Package Assembler
  • NMF Playground (with a satellite simulator)
  • Documentation

The NMF SDK is the starting point for a software developer willing to develop applications with the NMF.

NMF Missions[]

An NMF Mission is a concrete implementation of the NanoSat MO Framework for a specific mission. The NMF Mission development includes activities such as implementing the Platform services and the NanoSat MO Supervisor for the specific platform. If a custom or tailored transport is used for the mission, then the transport binding must be implemented and additionally, integrated with the Ground MO Proxy for protocol bridging. [1]

The following NMF Mission implementations were implemented: Software Simulator, and OPS-SAT

Software Simulator[]

The Software Simulator was developed to be part of the NMF SDK in order to provide simulated data towards the NMF Apps during the development and testing phases.

OPS-SAT[]

An implementation for ESA's OPS-SAT mission was developed in order to validate the software framework in-flight. OPS-SAT is a CubeSat built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and launched in December 2019, and it is intended to demonstrate the improvements in mission control capabilities that will arise when satellites can fly more powerful on-board computers. [7]

For example, OPS-SAT experimenters can use the NMF SDK for quick development of software capable of running on ground and/or in space. The NanoSat MO Framework apps are able to publish telemetry, receive telecommands or access the GPS device on OPS-SAT. [7]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Coelho, César (2017). "A Software Framework for Nanosatellites based on CCSDS Mission Operations Services with Reference Implementation for ESA's OPS-SAT Mission". PhD Dissertation. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  2. ^ Coelho, Cesar; Koudelka, Otto; Merri, Mario (2017). "NanoSat MO framework: When OBSW turns into apps". 2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference. pp. 1–8. doi:10.1109/AERO.2017.7943951. ISBN 978-1-5090-1613-6.
  3. ^ a b Coelho, César; Koudelka, Otto; Merri, Mario (2016). "NanoSat MO Framework: Achieving On-board Software Portability". SpaceOps 2016: The 14th International Conference on Space Operations. doi:10.2514/6.2016-2624. ISBN 978-1-62410-426-8.
  4. ^ [1], The first release of the NanoSat MO Framework
  5. ^ a b "LICENSE". GitHub. Retrieved 2017-12-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "NanoSat MO Framework: Drill down your nanosatellite's platform using CCSDS Mission Operations services". 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "ESAW 2017" (PDF). ESA. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.

External links[]

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