Automated System for Testing and Result Analysis for Payload Controller

Reliability is one of the key traits of any space-based hardware. They undergo rigorous testing and evaluation prior to onboard deployment in order to guarantee fault-free operation over the mission life. Payload Controller (PLC) is package consisting of multiple boards that have different, but inter-dependent functionalities. It has a mission critical role of controlling, health monitoring and maintaining operating temperature of all payload subsystems. There is no off-the-shelf instrument that can analyze and verify PLC’s complex operations. Existing literature on functional testing of space-based hardware isolates each functionality. Automated System for Testing and Result Analysis (ASTRA) is a custom developed reconfigurable and fully integrated Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) for evaluating Payload Controller (PLC). It accurately simulates the entire PLC operational environment in line with "Test-as-you-fly" philosophy, supports macro based test scenarios and automates the verification process. Its software-defined architecture offers flexibility to support subsystem and package level testing, while its scalable and reconfigurable design accommodates various PLC configurations. This paper describes the design of ASTRA, its constituent modules and how each part contributes in accelerating and automating the testing process.