Scope
The Electrical Engineering expertise of Dutch Space comprises both hardware and embedded software modules or subsystems. Quality and reliability are paramount in the product development; Dutch Space meets ISO and CE norms plus the highest relevant international standards (e.g. IEEE, MIL, ESA and NASA).
LITE device
We have the ability to manage the development process of an entire electronics projects. The system-based approach is solidly backed with standard methodology and applications. In plain language, the package includes specifying requirements, cost analysis, development, testing and verification and the management of subcontractors. A multi-disciplinary systems approach to technical issues is combined with a work-package oriented project management approach.
Steps in our approach include:
- Problem analysis & requirements flow-down
- System context definition
- Functional / performance requirements
- Environmental considerations (EMC CE directives, MIL standards, ESA & NASA standards)
- Interfaces
- Interpretation of requirements into design concepts
- Decomposition into digital and analogue hardware, embedded software, programmable devices, busses and networks
- Prototyping
- Detailed design and verification:
- Shadow engineering
- Technical managing of processes at subcontractors
Analysis and design techniques
- Analysis:
- Mixed electronic simulations
- Reliability and safety analysis
- EMC analysis
- Specialised analysis for high reliability application, e.g. failure mode, sneak analysis, EEE, parts procurement and application, derating
- Breadboards:
- Rapid prototyping with LITE devices. LITE is our in-house developed highly modular micro controller system (e.g. 2 axis DC Motorcontrol module)
- FPGA expertise
- Design techniques:
- In addition to traditional techniques such as schematic entry, logical equations and state machines, VHDL is used in our digital electronic hardware design to describe structure and behaviour of circuits
- For embedded software we use Object Oriented analysis and design as well as Yourdon, Hatley / Pirbhai, Ward / Mellor and Booch structured methods
Analysis and design tools
The Dutch Space electronic design resources range from microprocessors, microcontrollers, field programmable devices to Commercial Of The Shelf solutions as our VME subrack based ground support and checkout systems. In our electronic development process a range of standard tools are used, taking the project from draft stage to prototype. Digital and analogue simulation, logic synthesis, schematic entry, board layout and routing, mechanical and electrical integration are all available. Standard laboratory equipment in position includes spectrum, logic and protocol analysers, test-bed controllers, and digital oscilloscopes. For our embedded software development the methods are supported by case tools and configuration management systems. Programming languages center on assembler, C and C++ but our large heritage includes programming in Modula-2, FORTRAN, Pascal and ADA using a wide diversity of kernels and operating systems.
Examples
The electrical engineering department has been contributing their expertise to the majority of Dutch Space projects. The following table summarises the highlights.
| Description | Project | Contribution and responsibilities |
| Low cost, light weight, Instrumentation for experimenTal Equipment | LITE | In-house concept and design |
| Test and Verification Equipment for AOCS subsystems | TVE | Design, development and prototyping |
| Re-useable Electrical Ground Support Equipment | Generic EGSE | Architectural design and prototyping |
| European Robotic Arm | ERA | System level electronic design, EMC responsibility |
| Spectrometer for Earth Atmosphere Research, an Envisat-1 instrument | SCIAMACHY | System analysis, EMC and interface control, cold wire 120 K |
| Michelson interferometer for earth atmosphere research | MIPAS | Electrical design and analysis, EMC design and verification |
| Test model for drop-test of Titan atmosphere probe | Huygens SM2 | System analysis, design and procurement, RF analyses, test and operational support |
| Training simulator for a medium range anti-tank missile | TRIGAT | Design, prototyping and verification of the electrical, mechanical and optical system of the gunner assembly |
| Attitude and Orbit Control Systems for IRAS, ISO and SAX, Herschel and Planck | AOCS | Electrical sub-system design, development and procurement, EMC analysis |
| Parafoil Technology Demonstrator | PTD | Subsystem electrical design, system integration and system test |
| Ozone Monitoring Instrument based on an 2-dimensional CCD imager | OMI-ImS | Electrical architectural analysis and design at system level, EMC analysis and EMC requirements |
| Development of a biochemical working environment for eventual use in the International Space Station | Biobench | Electronics & embedded SW development |
| Infrared Absorption Spectrometer | IASI | Electrical sub-system analysis and design, EMC analysis and EMC requirements. |
| Very Large Telescope Interferometer delay lines | VLTI | Linear motor control system design and development. |
| Standard front end system for the test facility of the Autonomous Transfer Vehicle | ATV | System design |
| Power subsystem for a small satellite | SloshSat | Analysis, development and production of flight model. |
| Herschel Planck Subsystem Check Out Equipment | Herschel Planck
| SCOE Design, development and production of Herschel Planck SCOE Design and development of 7 flight interface adapter card's. For the 4 Herschel Planck SCOE's a total of 106 boards were produced and integrated |
| In flight experiments | Mission Delta flight experiments: | Design, development, production, verification of electronics |
