CubeSpace CubeStar User manual

CubeStar
CubeSpace Star Camera
User Manual

Part: CubeStar
Doc: User Manual
Ver: 1.8
Page: 2
Document
CubeStar User Manual
Version
1.8
Domain
Public
Date modified
10 December 2021
Approved by
Name:
Christo Groenewald

Part: CubeStar
Doc: User Manual
Ver: 1.8
Page: 3
Document Version History
List of Figures
Figure 1 –CubeStar and supplied peripherals..............................................................................................8
Figure 2 –USB-Serial Cable Connection .........................................................................................................9
Figure 3 –Powered Up CubeSupport...............................................................................................................9
Figure 4 –Connected CubeStar....................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 5 –Device Manager................................................................................................................................ 10
Figure 6 –USB serial port settings.................................................................................................................. 11
Figure 7 –USB serial port advanced settings............................................................................................. 11
Figure 8 –Add a Connection to CubeSupport. ......................................................................................... 12
Figure 9 –New Connection in List.................................................................................................................. 12
Figure 10 –CubeStar UI...................................................................................................................................... 13
Figure 11 - CubeStar Status Panel.................................................................................................................. 14
Figure 12 - CubeStar Errors Panel................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 13 - CubeStar Power Panel.................................................................................................................. 14
Figure 14 –CubeStar Test Panel...................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 15 –CubeStar Trigger Panel ............................................................................................................... 15
Figure 16 –Setting the Image Sensor Exposure ....................................................................................... 16
Figure 17 –Capturing an Image...................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 18 –CubeStar - Images tab................................................................................................................. 16
Figure 19 –Example CubeStar Image ........................................................................................................... 17
Figure 20 –Capture Test Image Panel Command Test Pattern capture.......................................... 17
Version
Author(s)
Pages
Date
Description of change
1.1
GJR, CJG
ALL
29/11/2019
First Release
1.2
GJR
Front
02/12/2019
Add CJG as approver
1.3
GJR
24-26
25/03/2020
Add “Powering CubeStar
through ADCS“ section
1.4
GJR
17, 20
30/04/2020
Update CubeStar Programming
Header image,
Update section reference
1.5
GJR
06/09/2020
Add Health Check disclaimer
1.6
GJR
7
11/12/2020
Update Firmware Version
1.7
GJR
All
12/01/2021
Update Firmware Version,
Minor Grammar corrections
1.8
AS
All
10/12/2021
Update Firmware Version,
Added health check test
reference images

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Doc: User Manual
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Figure 21 –CubeStar Fixed Test Image ........................................................................................................ 18
Figure 22 –CubeStar Programming Header............................................................................................... 19
Figure 23 –Simplicity Commander Home view ........................................................................................ 20
Figure 24 –Connecting To the Development Kit...................................................................................... 21
Figure 25 –Setting Debug Mode.................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 26 –Hardware Required to Program CubeStar........................................................................... 22
Figure 27 –CubeStar Connected to programmer.................................................................................... 22
Figure 28 –Connecting to the Target ........................................................................................................... 23
Figure 29 –The Device Info Tab...................................................................................................................... 24
Figure 30 –Flashing the Hardware................................................................................................................. 24
Figure 31 –Enabling ADCS Run Mode ......................................................................................................... 25
Figure 32 –Powering On CubeStar................................................................................................................ 26
Figure 33 –Disabling ADCS Run Mode........................................................................................................ 26

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Page: 5
List of Tables
Table 1 –CubeStar Subject Version..................................................................................................................7
Table 2 –CubeStar Details................................................................................................................................. 28
Table 3 –CubeSupport Connects to CubeStar.......................................................................................... 28
Table 4 –Status and Power............................................................................................................................... 29
Table 5 –SRAM Test ............................................................................................................................................ 29
Table 6 –Operations............................................................................................................................................ 29
Table 7 –Image Downloaded .......................................................................................................................... 31
List of Acronyms/Abbreviations
ICD Interface Control Document
ESD Electrostatic Discharge
I2C Inter-Integrated Circuit
MCU Microcontroller Unit
MEMS Microelectromechanical System
OBC Onboard Computer
PCB Printed Circuit Board
SPI Serial Peripheral Interface
TCMD Telecommand
TLM Telemetry
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
V Volt
GND Ground
FPGA Field-Programmable Gate Array
IC Integrated Circuit
s seconds
ms milliseconds
µs microseconds
FoV Field of View
GUI Graphical User Interface

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Table of Contents
Document Version History......................................................................................................3
1. Introduction...................................................................................................................7
2. Interfacing with CubeStar ............................................................................................8
2.1 Hardware interface................................................................................................................................8
2.2 Com Port Setup................................................................................................................................... 10
2.3 CubeSupport Interface...................................................................................................................... 11
2.4 User-Interface....................................................................................................................................... 12
3. Health Check................................................................................................................14
3.1 Validating Status and Power .......................................................................................................... 14
3.2 Performing an SRAM test................................................................................................................ 15
3.3 Testing CubeStar Execution............................................................................................................ 15
3.4Download Image................................................................................................................................. 16
3.5 Capture Test Image............................................................................................................................ 17
4. Updating CubeStar......................................................................................................19
4.1 Programming Header ....................................................................................................................... 19
4.2 Simplicity Commander ..................................................................................................................... 20
4.3 Installing Simplicity Commander.................................................................................................. 20
4.4 Programmer setup ............................................................................................................................. 20
4.5 Programming CubeStar.................................................................................................................... 22
4.6 Powering CubeStar whilst connected to the ADCS ............................................................... 25
Appendix A: ............................................................................................................................27
1. Acceptance Document................................................................................................28
4.7 Tests Results ......................................................................................................................................... 28

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1. Introduction
This document will guide the user through the steps to connect CubeStar to a PC. Once a
connection is established the CubeSupport ground support software can be used to interface
with CubeStar. A Health Check can be performed to establish that CubeStar is working as
intended. The steps to perform this test are explained and an Acceptance document can be
found in the appendix of this document. This Acceptance document needs to be completed
and sent back to CubeSpace to acknowledge that the CubeStar was received in working order.
CubeSpace is continually innovating on designs and device capabilities. Since the firmware for
CubeStar is always improving, CubeSpace will release updated software from time to time. This
document explains how to flash such an update to CubeStar.
Please note that this document is distributed with copies of the CubeStar Reference Manual
and CubeStar Interface Control Document and that these documents should contain all
information regarding the lower-level software and hardware interfaces.
Table 1 –CubeStar Subject Version
Element
Version
Hardware Version
V4.2
Firmware Version
3.8
Interface Version
5
Always take the necessary precautions for ESD protection when handling
CubeStar. Always handle CubeStar in a clean area or cleanroom. Extra care
must be taken to keep the lens clean.
Before handling, please note that CubeStar is highly sensitive.
If the lens is moved or turned in the lens holder, the pre-
programmed calibration values will no longer be valid, and
CubeStar will no longer function correctly. Even a slight shift
in lens position will affect the performance of CubeStar. It is
also essential to design mounting supports for the lens in the
satellite to prevent the lens from shifting due to launch
vibrations

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2. Interfacing with CubeStar
This section describes how to interface CubeStar to a PC and how to connect the CubeSupport
ground support software to CubeStar. This section is only applicable to clients who bought
CubeStar as a standalone unit.
2.1 Hardware interface
Figure 1 shows CubeStar (1) a support PCB (2), USB Serial to UART cable (3) and CubeStar
interface harness (4). All these items are included in the delivered package along with a USB
flash drive containing all required documentation and the CubeSupport software.
Figure 1 –CubeStar and supplied peripherals
Connect the USB Serial to UART cable to the support PCB, ensuring the red wire (VCC) is
connected to the PC Pow pin on the UART header. These connections are shown in the
following Figure 2.
3.
2.
4.
1.

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Figure 2 –USB-Serial Cable Connection
Please note that the gold contacts on the UART cable header should be orientated as shown
in Figure 2.
Always ensure that the USB-Serial cable is connected in the right
orientation. Not complying with this specification can result in damaging
the CubeStar electronics.
Plug the UART cable into the PC used to interface with CubeStar. If the header has been
plugged in with the correct orientation, the 3V3 Power On LED should light up. This is shown
in Figure 3.
Figure 3 –Powered Up CubeSupport
Now, disconnect the USB to Serial cable from the USB port to ensure that the board has been
powered down. Finally, attach the CubeStar interface harness to the CubeSupport PCB and the
CubeStar star tracker, and reattach the USB to Serial cable to the Interfacing PC. The final setup
is shown in Figure 4.

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Figure 4 –Connected CubeStar
2.2 Com Port Setup
The COM port should register on the PC once the USB cable is connected to the PC and the
drivers have been installed. To check if the COM port is registered by the PC open the Device
Manager. The USB serial port connection should show up under “Ports” as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5 –Device Manager
In this case, the UART to serial cable is registered as COM4, it might be different on other PCs.
Now the COM port connection can be setup correctly. Follow these steps:

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1. Right-click on the USB serial port and select the “Properties” option from the drop-down
menu.
2. Select the “Port Settings” tab. The bits per second field does not need to be correct on this
window. It will be correctly set when the connection is made to the COM port.
Figure 6 –USB serial port settings
3. Click the “Advanced…” button, which will open a new settings window.
4. Under the “BM Options” section set the “Latency Timer (msec):” field to 1 as shown in Figure
7.
Figure 7 –USB serial port advanced settings
2.3 CubeSupport Interface
Once the steps in the previous section have been completed the CubeSupport software that
can be found on the included USB drive can be used to connect to CubeStar.

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Launch the CubeSupport application .exe. The CubeSupport application will open a window as
shown in Figure 8
Figure 8 –Add a Connection to CubeSupport.
•Click on the add connection icon in CubeSupport as indicated by the red rectangle
in Figure 8. This will detect the UART to Serial cable and show the connection in the
list.
Figure 9 –New Connection in List
•Connect to CubeStar with CubeSupport by clicking on the connect button . The
CubeStar interface should show up as described in the following section.
2.4 User-Interface
The user interface is shown in Figure 10. The interface consists of two tabs
1. The CubeStar tab: A wrapper for all available telemetries and telecommands.
2. The CubeStar- Images tab: A utility to download images.

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Figure 10 –CubeStar UI
Throughout this interface, telecommands can be sent with transmit ( ) buttons and telemetry
requests can be made with refresh ( ) buttons. For a more in-depth description of the
available telemetries and telecommands, refer to the “CubeStar Interface Control Document”,
and “CubeStar Reference Manual”.

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3. Health Check
This section provides the steps required to perform a “bench-test” on CubeStar to determine
if it is working as it should. This section is only applicable to clients who bought CubeStar as a
standalone unit.
The CubeStar can be tested with the lens cap on the lens or without the lens cap.
3.1 Validating Status and Power
Navigate to the CubeStar →CubeStar - Status tab as shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11 - CubeStar Status Panel
•Click on the button next to the Startup Status heading.
•Click on the button next to the Temperature heading.
•Note all of the values in Table 4.
Navigate to the CubeStar →CubeStar - Errors tab as shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12 - CubeStar Errors Panel
•Click on the button next to the Error Flags heading.
•Check that all flags are not checked.
•Note the results in Table 4.
Navigate to the CubeStar →CubeStar - Power tab as shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13 - CubeStar Power Panel

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•Click on the button next to the Power Status heading.
•Note all of the values in Table 4.
3.2 Performing an SRAM test
Navigate to the CubeStar →CubeStar - Test tab as shown in Figure 14.
Figure 14 –CubeStar Test Panel
•Click on the green arrow( ) next to the Test SRAM telecommand and wait for roughly
20 seconds.
•Request the Selftest Results telemetry by clicking on the button next to the Selftest
Results Heading.
•If the test is not completed yet, the Test Active flag will show a checkmark.
•If the test is completed, the New Test Data Available flag will show a checkmark.
•If the SRAM Test Failure flag, together with the New Test Data Available flag, shows a
checkmark, the SRAM test has failed.
•If the test failed, note a value of (1) in Table 5, otherwise note a value of (0) to indicate
that the test passed.
3.3 Testing CubeStar Execution
•Navigate to the CubeStar →CubeStar –Processing →Trigger one-second loop tab, and
send the telecommand by clicking on the green arrow ( ) as shown in Figure 15:
Figure 15 –CubeStar Trigger Panel
•This sets the internal capture and process flag that is used to schedule one sample
instance.
•Complete Table 6 by recording the appropriate values after the one-second loop
have been triggered.

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3.4 Download Image
•Navigate to the CubeStar →CubeStar –ImageSensor →Exposure tab and set the Exposure
to 12, as shown in Figure 16.
Figure 16 –Setting the Image Sensor Exposure
•Remove the star tracker lens cap;
•Navigate to the CubeStar →CubeStar →Capture Image tab, and capture an image.
Figure 17 –Capturing an Image
•Navigate to the CubeStar –Images tab and download the image
Figure 18 –CubeStar - Images tab
•Click on the Download button. Once the image has been downloaded, it will be
displayed. This image can be saved by clicking on the Save button.
•An example of CubeStar image is shown in Figure 19.

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Figure 19 –Example CubeStar Image
•Note a successful image capture in Table 7 in the acceptance test document.
3.5 Capture Test Image
•Navigate to the CubeStar –Test tab and select the Fixed test pattern as shown in Figure
20. Transmit the command by using the green arrow ( ).
Figure 20 –Capture Test Image Panel Command Test Pattern capture
•A Test image would now have been captured to the sensor SRAM.
•Download and save this image by using navigating to the CubeStar –Images tab and
clicking on the Download button. The downloaded image must be similar to the
image shown in Figure 21
•Note a successful test image capture in Table 7 in the acceptance test document.

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Figure 21 –CubeStar Fixed Test Image

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4. Updating CubeStar
In the case that CubeSpace provides new firmware files that can be flashed to CubeStar, the
steps in this section can be followed to program CubeStar.
4.1 Programming Header
The programming header can be found next to the interface header on the bottom PCB of
CubeStar. This header, indicated in Figure 22, is a 2.0 mm pitch, right angle, female header.
This header is used to update the CubeStar firmware.
Figure 22 –CubeStar Programming Header
Pin 1 of the programming header is located on the right-hand side as shown in Figure 22.
It is recommended to use a SEGGER J-Link debugger to program CubeStar. The Silicon Labs,
Energy Micro EMF32 starter kits, such as the STK3700, comes with an integrated SEGGER J-Link
debugger. Using Simplicity Commander these kits can be set to output debug mode. In this
mode, the SWD lines are disconnected from the onboard MCU and instead connected to the
20-pin debug header. These kits can then be used to program CubeStar. A conversion is
required to convert the 20-pin header connection to a 6-pin, 2mm pitch, male header. This
Conversion cable is supplied with CubeStar
1

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4.2 Simplicity Commander
Silicon Labs offers a software package called Simplicity Commander. This allows the required
functionality to upload a new binary to the CubeStar star tracker. This section will guide you
through the process of setting up Simplicity Commander to flash a new binary to CubeStar.
4.3 Installing Simplicity Commander
To install Simplicity Commander, the web installer must be downloaded from the Silicon Labs
website. Using your web browser navigate to the link below:
https://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/programming-options
Please note that new versions of the software are released regularly
and the newest software might not look the same as recorded here in
the documentation. However, the process, options and functionality
should remain the same.
Extract the correct Simplicity Commander version for your system.
4.4 Programmer setup
Once Simplicity Commander has been installed, open the Simplicity commander program. An
example of this program view is shown in Figure 23.
Figure 23 –Simplicity Commander Home view