FPGA Based Active Camera Stabilization for a Small Satellite - Designing a Digital Control

Abstract

We investigate how an active control can stabilize a satellite's on-board camera in an inexpensive way, disturbed by micro-vibrations coming from the reaction wheels of the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), and maybe also disturbed by its orbital movement. In particular, in this project we investigate how to design the digital part of the control. We use an active control running in the FPGA of a PYNQ-Z2 board. The control is a PID controller, adjusted experimentally. It turns out that obviously it will be feasible to implement the digital part in this way. We did not have the time and human resources for a complete implementation of the digital part. But all digital components have either been implemented or at least shown to be implementable. The mechanical part of a test bed was provided to us by the VIBES project; we didn't intend to work on it. Nevertheless, we conceived several improvements, and we implemented a few of them. Finally, we identify in detail the work that needs to be done, both on the digital part and on the mechanical part, such that we can conduct an experimental proof that the control indeed reduces micro-vibrations as intended.