A real-time simulation system for satellite based on RTW and VxWorks

Abstract

A new real-time simulation system is developed based on the Real Time Workshop (RTW) and real-time operation system VxWorks. The whole model of satellite is defined, which is proved by simulation in Simulink. This model is divided into two parts. One part is the attitude and orbit controller, i.e., attitude and orbit control system (AOCS), named AOCS model. The other is the external model of AOCS, named external model. The CAN bus interface blocks are designed for the two parts, respectively. The compiled codes of the two models are downloaded to two target computers with VxWorks for real-time simulation, which are connected by CAN bus. In addition, a method is proposed to verify the availability of the model in VxWorks, although not all blocks in Simulink can be implemented in VxWorks. This proposed method is compared by the simulation results of simulation in the Simulink and VxWorks. A simulation example is developed to test the availability and reliability of the system.