Automatic Code Generation for Attitude and Orbit Control Systems Using Domain-Specific Languages

Abstract

The Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) is the spacecraft subsystem responsible for determining and controlling the vehicle’s orbit and orientation. Similarly to other kinds of embedded systems, its software has been continuously growing in size and complexity. However, very few satellites are produced each year, when compared to other industries. The consequence is an insufficient level of automation in the development process, which leads to low software reusability, driving up the costs. The proposed solution to this problem is to develop a Domain-Specific Language (DSL) using the Xtext language workbench. The language contains tailored abstractions that allow a simple system model to be created, and is bundled with a specific editor, a model validator and a code generator. The generated C++ code is then customized to implement low-level behavior. A proof of concept centered in the telecommand handling functionality is developed to prove the feasibility of applying the solution to the whole subsystem. Its design and implementation is based on an analysis conducted on the source code of the TET-1 satellite of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The resulting Domain-Specific Workbench (DSW) is tested with an example model and target code customization, showing its ease of use and proving that it behaves as expected.