Since the first small step for a man on the moon, Space travel evolved in a giant leap thanks to Space Avionics systems. From the early beginning of on-board computers with the performance of a calculator to the present day with highly integrated and powerful Avionics systems, the future lies within the performance of our Space system software.
Space Avionics Systems ready for Future Missions
PikeOS protecting Earth
By the end of 2020 a revolution took place in space: The very first prototype of a new type of nano satellites was sending data, working fully operational and flying in a near-to-earth orbit. This satellite is called Argos Neo on a Generic Economical and Light Satellite (ANGELS) and belongs to the Kinéis satellite network.
PikeOS helps to achieve more flexibility via file-based systems instead of packet-oriented data structures. This enables the selection of vital data in order to be transmitted to the ground station with priority. Learn how our technology applies by means of a fail safe and certifiable file system.
Once a Space system is in orbit or executing deep Space exploration, the application software cannot be altered by physical access. Instead, updates are driven via telecommand. This imposes requirements to the startup sequence of a spacecraft’s onboard-computer system. Find out how PikeOS boots and updates during Space missions.
Fault-Detection, Fault-Isolation and Recovery (FDIR)
FDIR is a vital issue to Space Avionics systems. PikeOS supports FDIR principles by its main features: Partitioning and Health monitoring. By isolating application errors via monitoring, each container can be recovered independently on partition level. As a consequence, PikeOS allows to run applications of mixed-criticality in parallel that work safely and securely, strongly separated in time and space.
PikeOS supports the principles of cold, warm and hot redundancy to guarantee that systems are running seamlessly perfect in case of errors to ensure the success of a Space mission. Learn how our technology supports different levels of redundancy.
Reliable Software for high Performance Space Systems
Space systems have to be lean, yet highly responsive. Issues of standardization, reusability and scalability become more and more important. Due to the ongoing integration of spaceborne, more specifically Space Avionics systems, SoCs, microcontroller and processors nowadays are more efficient than ever and can fulfil more tasks in parallel. Thus, saving money by the reduction of energy consumption and weight by the depletion of hardware devices.
SYSGO’s real-time operating system and hypervisor technology addresses those needs and assures that processes of mixed-criticality run reliable and efficient.
Technology, built to master Space System Requirements
Our technology provides means for controlling tasks, processing of mission data, secure communication of subsystems and between spacecraft and ground station with strong focus on failure Safety. Our systems and middleware strongly support mechanisms for Fault-Detection, Fault-Isolation and Recovery Techniques (FDIR). SYSGO embraces the European harmonization process for space device building standards. Space industry benefits from our experience in integrated modular software development and certification in such fields as the Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) concept and therefore SAVOIR FAIRE respectively Space Component Model (SCM) principles.
Our hypervisor technology provides mechanisms to isolate partitions (aka containers) and still ensures real-time ability. Containers of different levels of criticality may be executed at the same time – from a simple yet highly critical control task to a full ARINC 653 application.
Applications in high and low Orbits
Our technology can be used in systems that act autonomously, but can be also manually controlled and require robust partitioning and Security features. Thus, making it the right choice for applications such as satellites that are deployed in low orbits (e.g. satellite networks for cell phones or observation) with high demands on reliability and secure streams. Real-time ability adds value in terms of sensor/actor alignment and steering manoeuvres. These abilities also apply to several use cases in higher orbits or generally space (e.g. landing on asteroids, alignment of solar panels).
Manpower and Experience
Our pre-certified technology is developed by a strong team of software solution experts that work closely with our Aerospace customers. It benefits by the experience of many years of development and has since then proven its reliability. Thus, led to several innovations such as our technology that brings real-time and hypervisor capabilities to controllers without Memory Management Unit (MMU) but with Memory Protection Unit (MPU) for lean yet highly functional Space Avionics systems designs.
Benefits
Reduced Complexity saves Weight, Energy, Space and Cost
PikeOS enables integration of a large number of electronic devices onto a single or a few standardized hardware platforms
Integrated Safety reduces Certification Cost
Applications of various levels of criticality and Security are separated from one each other in distinct partitions and can be certified independently
Extreme Flexibility provides Independence from Suppliers in the Choice of Hardware and Software
PikeOS supports a broad range of hardware architectures and provides interfaces for a wide array of guest operating systems. It is easy to add additional architectures and interfaces (including for legacy code)
Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) Architecture
MILS-compliant PikeOS controls communications and provides protection against malicious attack. Common Criteria certification process has been engaged
Expandability saves Cost in the Development Process
Partitions are simple to configure in development phase and can even be supplemented and expanded with new applications after entry into service
No Export Restrictions
Using the long time supported PikeOS reduces effort in export compliance as it is ITAR free
