Title :
Operational Characterization System and Communication Interface for Microelectromechanical (MEM) and Passive Thermal Switches for the MidSTAR Satellite Program
Author :
Schuster, Christopher M. ; Beasley, Matthew ; Firebaugh, Samara ; Farrar, Dawnielle ; Osiander, Robert ; Darrin, Ann ; Mehoke, Doug
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., US Naval Acad., Annapolis, MD
Abstract :
This paper describes an experimental control and test system for microelectromechanical (MEM) and passive thermal switches to be tested on MidSTAR, a small satellite built and operated by the United States Naval Academy. The system has two components: an external unit that contains the devices under test as well as heaters and sensors, and an internal unit that controls the switches, monitors their performance, and communicates with the command and data handling (C&DH) unit of the satellite. This paper discusses the design of both the internal and external unit, and the testing protocol
Keywords :
aerospace test facilities; artificial satellites; microswitches; temperature control; MidSTAR satellite program; command and data handling; communication interface; microelectromechanical system; nanosatellites; operational characterization; passive thermal switches; testing protocol; thermal control; Artificial satellites; Communication switching; Communication system control; Control systems; Data handling; Sensor systems; Switches; System testing; Temperature control; Thermal sensors; Microelectromechanical systems (MEMs); Nanosatellites; thermal control;
Conference_Titel :
Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, 2005. IMTC 2005. Proceedings of the IEEE
Conference_Location :
Ottawa, Ont.
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-8879-8
DOI :
10.1109/IMTC.2005.1604449
