Model Driven Language Framework to Automate Command and Data Handling Code Generation

Abstract

On-board computer software (OBSW) is an integral part of every space mission. It has been continuously growing in size and complexity. The insufficient level of automation in the development process of such software leads to low software re-usability and drives up the costs. This paper presents a generic approach to describe and model the on-board software in terms of data that is processed by it. Domain Specific Language (DSL) based framework is developed using which provides a DSL editor, a model validator, and a code generator. Using the framework, a system data model is created. The C++ code is generated from it which is then customized to implement low-level behavior. As a proof of concept, the telecommand handling functionality of OBSW is developed to prove the feasibility of applying the solution to the whole system. Based on the analysis conducted on the source code of the TET-1 satellite of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), a DSL is designed and implemented. The resulting DSL-based framework is tested with an example model and target code customization, showing its ease of use and proving that it behaves as expected.