Introduction

The SC-OBC Module A1 is an On-Board Computer (OBC) designed for use in CubeSats that are 3U in size or larger.

The SC-OBC Module A1 is a system that uses a Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA as its primary processing unit, featuring an embedded ARM Cortex-M3 core implemented within the FPGA. By using an FPGA, the type and number of interfaces can be flexibly customized for each CubeSat. In addition, implementing user-defined IP enables specialized processing without utilizing CPU resources, which can enhance overall system performance.

The SC-OBC Module A1 includes a PIC16LF877 sub-microcontroller as a secondary system management unit, operating independently from the main processor. This sub-microcomputer, known as the Timing, Reset, Config & Health Controller (TRCH), manages the system prior to FPGA startup and monitors for anomalies after the FPGA has started. The SC-OBC Module A1 features an automatic recovery mechanism that utilizes TRCH to restore the system in the event of an abnormality.