Automated analysis of MIL-STD-1553B communication protocol test results

ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) is the lead centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation in the development and operationalisation of satellites for communication, navigation and remote sensing applications. A well orchestrated highly advanced embedded system plays a major role in success of all such satellites. Mil-Std-1553B or Milbus, a serial multiplex data bus played a major in this orchestation. Software based scheduler requirements and design at master end of 1553 posed a great challenge to software team in design and verification aspects. This paper explains an effective methodology developed by Software Quality Assurance (SQA) team to have a person independent automation scheme to prove the correctness of design as per requirements. This automation reduces the time during validation. With this automation the Mil-std-1553 modules, data rates and scheduler table gets verified thoroughly. Over and above, it helps in the traceability from requirement level of software life cycle till testing. Paper concludes that in critical cases where risk is involved and we want to achieve high reliability in the increasing complex applications, automation for analysis is required. This is needed for efficient and cost effective testing which results in saving of time and effort in this particular scenario.