Software Development Support for Mission-Critical Space Applications

The success of a spacecraft mission depends equally on the reliability, maintainability, and flexibility of the both hardware & software platform that powers it.

Our OBC-Polar platform based on the Microchip PolarFire® SoC FPGA architecture any of OBC-Cube-Polar, Hyper-Polar or PF-VPX is supported by a dedicated embedded systems team that develops and maintains a comprehensive software ecosystem for space applications. Depending on mission requirements, customers can choose from multiple levels of software access and development support, ranging from application-level integration to full platform customization.

Embedded software team provides Board Support Packages (BSPs), drivers, middleware, and platform services for multiple operating environments, including:

• Bare Metal Applications
• Linux-Based Systems
• VxWorks Real-Time Operating System

Software deliverables, documentation, version control, issue tracking, and customer collaboration are managed through our dedicated GitLab development environment:

CAVU Aerospace GitLab: https://gitlab.cavuspace.uk/

This provides customers with controlled access to software releases, Wiki pages, source code, documentation, issue management, chat with support team and long-term configuration control throughout the mission lifecycle.

High-Reliability Boot & Recovery Architecture

A key feature of the OBC-Polar software platform is its fault-tolerant boot and recovery framework, specifically designed for unattended operation in space environments.

The platform includes:

Redundant Boot Architecture

• Dual-QSPI redundant U-Boot architecture
• Independent primary and backup boot images
• Automatic fallback between boot sources

Linux Root Filesystem Protection

• Redundant Linux root filesystem architecture stored on eMMC
• Primary and backup Linux partitions
• Automatic rollback to a known-good image following unsuccessful updates

Autonomous Recovery Capability

• Detection of corrupted boot images
• Detection of corrupted Linux root filesystems
• Automatic recovery from startup failures
• Recovery from failed software updates

FPGA-Assisted System Supervision

• FPGA fabric-based Linux boot watchdog
• Autonomous monitoring of operating system startup
• Automatic reset and recovery following boot hangs or startup failures
• Increased resilience against software faults and unexpected system states

This architecture significantly improves mission availability and reduces the risk of spacecraft loss resulting from software corruption or failed updates.

Software Development Levels

Level 1 – Application Development Package

Ideal for Satellite operators and payload developers who wish to focus exclusively on mission software while relying on CAVU Aerospace to manage the underlying platform.

Included

• OBC-Cube-Polar, Hyper-Polar or PF-VPX hardware
• BSP and platform runtime environment
• Application Programming Interfaces
• Software libraries
• Documentation and user guides
• Example applications
• Integration support

Customers develop mission-specific applications using published APIs while CAVU Aerospace maintains responsibility for the platform software and low-level hardware interfaces. Typical applications include: Payload control, Mission sequencing, Telemetry generation, Telecommand processing, Data collection and storage & Health monitoring

This level has fastest path to deployment, lowest software development risk, reduced engineering overhead & ideal option for rapid-development missions

Level 2 – Embedded Software Development Package

Ideal for organizations requiring deeper access to onboard software and wishing to customize platform functionality.

Included everything in Level 1, plus:

• Board Support Package
• Hardware Abstraction Layer
• Device drivers- Open source
• Embedded software source code
• Build environment
• Development toolchain support
• Software architecture documentation
• Debugging and deployment procedures

Customers may develop and modify embedded software executing on the PolarFire SoC processor subsystem while leveraging the validated OBC-Hyper-Polar hardware platform. This level enables development of custom communication protocols, advanced fault management systems, specialized data processing applications, mission-specific middleware & autonomous spacecraft functions

This level has greater software flexibility, access to low-level platform functionality, full embedded application development capability, reduced dependency on vendor software updates which make it ideal for space firms with long term programs.

Level 3 – Full Platform Development Package

Available only for space agencies, prime contractors, government organizations, research institutions, and advanced spacecraft developers requiring complete platform control.

Included everything in Levels 1 and 2, plus:

• FPGA project files
• PolarFire SoC design environment support
• Hardware architecture documentation
• Platform interface specifications
• FPGA integration guidance
• Custom accelerator integration support
• Full software and hardware development environment

Customers may modify the complete OBC architecture, including FPGA logic, hardware interfaces, processor subsystem configuration, custom IP cores, high-speed data processing pipelines and platform-level software services.

This level has complete platform ownership, maximum customization capability, support for mission-specific hardware acceleration, long-term technology independence, suitable for space agencies, demanding commercial, scientific, and governmental missions.

CAVU Aerospace provides more than a flight computer or ECSS/ NASA documentation & test service. We provide a complete software ecosystem built around reliability, maintainability, and long-term mission success & support during development.

From application-level integration through to full FPGA platform customization, our embedded systems team supports customers throughout the entire spacecraft development lifecycle, enabling rapid deployment while maintaining the flexibility required for advanced space missions.