Helmholtz Cage Design and Validation for Nanosatellites HWIL Testing

Abstract

This paper deals with the design, realization, and testing of an earth magnetic field simulator, which allows us to validate hardware-in-the-loop algorithms, as well as to test new actuators. The design is driven by typical small satellites functional requirements. The subsystems that compose the simulator are described in detail. The validation of the simulator is performed by assessing its functioning, the uniformity of the recreated magnetic field, and the functionality of a magnetorquer.