Study of the Applicability of Higher Order Languages for on-Board Satellite Software Production

摘要

High order languages suitability for satellite on-board software (OBSW) was assessed. Ada is the obvious choice, but has no proven programming environment. Neither C nor PASCAL is immediately applicable, but C is sufficiently flexible for the required functions to be implemented using macroroutines and other software components written in C. Further, C is complementary to Ada, in that it is a different level of language, and could be a useful tool for areas where Ada is inappropriate, e.g., low-level software modules, and C can be interfaced easily to other languages, such as assembler; Ada is more appropriate for the development of high-level, integrated software systems. An evolution from C via Assembler to Ada is recommended, with C used for short to medium term OBSW production. Existing OBSW was recoded in C to assess its suitability, and programming environments were investigated.