Evaluation of Attitude Determination Algorithms via Model-in-the-Loop and Processor-in-the-Loop
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 3
Abstract
Among all of the offered methods to determine the attitude of a spacecraft, in this research, three optimal algorithms solving the Wahba problem algebraically due to their simplicity of implementation are examined. Furthermore, this study elucidates the sources of attitude determination errors and aims to enable Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem (ADCS) engineers to choose a suitable microprocessor to implement the attitude algorithm. This research tends to show the difference in interpretation of attitude knowledge errors arising from both Model-in-the-Loop (MIL) and Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) simulations. To this aim, we conduct PIL tests on two different kind of microcontrollers, one of which is a 32-bit and the other is a 16-bit one. We compare the performance of algorithms in MIL with the two PILs resulting from 16- and 32-bit architectures and inspect the source of accuracy reduction. Finally, we conclude the best algorithm regarding implementation and the round-off errors arising from that. In addition, the execution time of methods is checked in order to evaluate prescribed solutions based on this criterion.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 3 • May 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 24, 2021
Accepted: Nov 15, 2022
Published online: Jan 17, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jun 17, 2023
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