Controlling Concurrent Change: Project C1: Aerospace Electronics

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Harald Michalik
• Subject Area: Computer Architecture, Embedded and Massively Parallel Systems
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 206480214

The current common practice of payload data handling in aerospace systems relies on simple data processing approaches, performed by pre-assigned, dedicated units. The main data processing and evaluation takes place on ground due to non-availability of powerful on-board processing platforms. In future, space missions will have to handle very high data rates due to increased spatial, radiometric and time resolutions of payload instruments. To be able to handle this amount of data, final physical values will have to be extracted in real time by an autonomous, intelligent and reliable application already on board the spacecraft, adapting itself to the changing needs in a controlled environment. This necessitates the possibility to adapt the processing system in software functionality as well as (for computing intensive task) in its hardware platform. This enables e.g. the functional adaption and extension during long term missions. A second aspect of controlled change is the ability of optimized multi-functional utilization of typically limited computing resources in HW and SW. Such an approach has to guarantee the once achieved qualification of the computing platform, in terms of high safety, reliability and availability, while integrating new functions.The introduced demonstration system in this project within the first phase is based on a scalable and reliable architecture of processing modules, coupled via a dedicated network. A specific application of visual localization by a smart stereo camera in resource limited implementation (single FPGA) was selected for demonstrating in field changes. On major goal is to implement and evaluate hardware reconfiguration. The demonstrator vehicle for this camera application is based on an existing robotic platform, which enables also evaluation of real-time aspects.For the second phase the main emphasis is given to extend the validation of the CCC approach onto a distributed computing platform under a typical space exploration scenario (e.g. planetary surface exploration), which includes real-time and high criticality demands of future space applications. The key aspect will be to partition functions within a typically distributed and networked platform environment including sensors and actors and to include multiple robotic platforms for co-operative work scenarios.Since also the single modules of the system are reconfigurable, mechanisms to control concurrent change of modules jointly developed in the research unit Controlling Concurrent Change must be instantiated and controlled at different levels. The possibility of change in a spacecraft will give a new quality to support adaptive systems in hardware as well as in software functionality. An on-board autonomy using the mechanisms developed in CCC would, therefore, be highly beneficial for many challenging future space missions under the constraints of requirements for resource consumption, safety, reliability and availability.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 1800: Controlling Concurrent Change (CCC)