TY - GEN
T1 - Modular Automated Test System for Advanced Propulsion and Satellite Subsystems Using NI PXI Data Acquisition Technology
AU - Nabi, Abderrahim
AU - Darfilal, Djamal
AU - Alhammadi, Fatima
AU - Fantino, Elena
AU - Al Hashmi, Hamed Abdulla
AU - Swei, Sean
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 IEEE.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Both in terms of software and hardware, propulsion test facilities frequently struggle with issues related to measurement accuracy, test control, and cost-efficiency. This paper presents a solution based on National Instruments PXI hardware and LabVIEW software, integrated to address these issues. Developed for the evaluation of a 2U propulsion system in a 6U CubeSat project at Khalifa University's Small Satellites Laboratory, the system reduces development costs while enhancing performance, accuracy, real-time processing, and synchronization. The modular design of LabVIEW allows easy customization across various testing scenarios, extending its applicability beyond propulsion testing to automated tests for subsystems like attitude control, GPS, and star trackers. The paper also discusses the selection of PXI chassis, controllers, and modules for analog, digital, counter, timer, and specialized measurements. Practical case studies highlight the system's versatility, underscoring its importance in propulsion and satellite subsystem testing.
AB - Both in terms of software and hardware, propulsion test facilities frequently struggle with issues related to measurement accuracy, test control, and cost-efficiency. This paper presents a solution based on National Instruments PXI hardware and LabVIEW software, integrated to address these issues. Developed for the evaluation of a 2U propulsion system in a 6U CubeSat project at Khalifa University's Small Satellites Laboratory, the system reduces development costs while enhancing performance, accuracy, real-time processing, and synchronization. The modular design of LabVIEW allows easy customization across various testing scenarios, extending its applicability beyond propulsion testing to automated tests for subsystems like attitude control, GPS, and star trackers. The paper also discusses the selection of PXI chassis, controllers, and modules for analog, digital, counter, timer, and specialized measurements. Practical case studies highlight the system's versatility, underscoring its importance in propulsion and satellite subsystem testing.
KW - Automated Test Equipment
KW - Control System
KW - Data Acquisition
KW - Multifunction Systems
KW - Propulsion Testing
KW - Satellite Testing
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105018467140
U2 - 10.1109/SPACE65882.2025.11170504
DO - 10.1109/SPACE65882.2025.11170504
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:105018467140
T3 - 2025 IEEE Space, Aerospace and Defence Conference, SPACE 2025
BT - 2025 IEEE Space, Aerospace and Defence Conference, SPACE 2025
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
T2 - 2025 IEEE Space, Aerospace and Defence Conference, SPACE 2025
Y2 - 21 July 2025 through 23 July 2025
ER -