Design Article
Case study: Designed for space
Gabor Marosy, Budapest University of Technology
4/5/2012 10:00 AM EDT
MASAT-1 – Mastering the challenges of building Hungary’s first micro-satellite with Altium Designer
Introduction:
The Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) has launched the first Hungarian satellite, Masat-1, into space on board the European Space Agency (ESA) Vega launcher on Feb. 13, 2012.
The long-term aim of Masat-1 as the first, smallest satellite in a series of satellites is to demonstrate on a small scale all on-board subsystems necessary for bigger satellites to carry out scientific or technological missions.
Altium Designer, electronic design software developed by Australian Altium Ltd., has contributed to the successful completion of this collaborative project.
Budapest University of Technology - Overview
The traditions of engineering education trace back to the 18th century in Hungary, making the BME one of the oldest institutes of technology in the world. The Department of Electron Devices at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics of the BME greatly contributes to the success of the university, which has given the world several Nobel Prize winners and inventions. The expertise of the Department of Electron Devices in the technology of semiconductors intended for extreme environments, as well as in software design and development, lead to its participation in the construction of Hungary’s first micro satellite, MASAT-1, which is built in cooperation with the Department of Broadband Infocommunications and Electromagnetic Theory of the same faculty.
The profile of Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) includes high level research and educational activities in the theory, design, production and testing of semiconductor components, micro and nanotechnology devices, VLSI solutions, semiconductor sensors, energy harvesting units, micro electromechanical systems and systems on chip.
Project challenges
Every system comprises sub-modules and sub-units, in both spaceborne applications and terrestrial solutions. In the example of Masat-1, a power management unit, a communication subsystem, the on-board computer and an attitude determination and control subsystem had to be implemented. Being a complex project, this also required co-operation with mechanical engineers, who used CATIA (Computer Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application, Dassault Systèmes). In addition, the management of the bill of materials (BOM) had to be kept simple. Uniform and rapid generation of documentation was necessary, as well as easy directory management for both the SMD and TH components.
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Dr DSP
4/21/2012 6:01 PM EDT
I would be more interested in some lessons learned instead of a list of features of the tool. This seems like a very interesting project and I'm sure the designers must have some good examples of specific savings (in schedule, in board space, testing, etc.) that they could share. For example- were there some changes to the mechanicals that resulted from the ability to do 3D models that reduces size and/or weight?
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