CubeSense

Fine Sun or Earth sensor

The CubeSense module is an integrated Sun and nadir sensor for attitude sensing. It makes use of two CMOS cameras – one dedicated to Sun sensing and another for horizon detection. The Sun sensor has a neutral density filter included in the optics. Both cameras have wide FOV optics. The primary outputs of the sensor are two angles that can be used to calculate the Sun and nadir vectors, relative to the CubeSense camera boresights.

The CubeSense module is an integrated Sun and nadir sensor for attitude sensing. It makes use of two CMOS cameras – one dedicated to Sun sensing and another for horizon detection. The Sun sensor has a neutral density filter included in the optics. Both cameras have wide FOV optics. The primary outputs of the sensor are two angles that can be used to calculate the Sun and nadir vectors, relative to the CubeSense camera boresights.

Compatibility

CubeSense is a fine Sun and/or Earth sensor that conforms to the standard CubeSat form factor and is compatible with a wide range of available CubeSat subsystems. Supported communication busses include UART and I2C. Bus and power locations on the PC104 header are configurable to make CubeSense compatible with most CubeSat suppliers.

Compatibility

CubeSense is a fine Sun and/or Earth sensor that conforms to the standard CubeSat form factor and is compatible with a wide range of available CubeSat subsystems. Supported communication busses include UART and I2C. Bus and power locations on the PC104 header are configurable to make CubeSense compatible with most CubeSat suppliers.

High Resolution Image Sensors

We upgraded the image sensor to a higher 1.3 megapixel sensor. This higher resolution, together with new high accuracy calibration methods, offers more than double the sensing accuracy of the previous generation. The new sensor is also perfect to capture quick grayscale images of Earth.

High Resolution Image Sensors

We upgraded the image sensor to a higher 1.3 megapixel sensor. This higher resolution, together with new high accuracy calibration methods, offers more than double the sensing accuracy of the previous generation. The new sensor is also perfect to capture quick grayscale images of Earth.

Accurate Earth and Sun Detection

Each CubeSense sensor is individually calibrated using an accurate calibration process. Our Sun and Earth sensing algorithms have been refined to ensure robust performance even in non-ideal situations.

Accurate Earth and Sun Detection

Each CubeSense sensor is individually calibrated using an accurate calibration process. Our Sun and Earth sensing algorithms have been refined to ensure robust performance even in non-ideal situations.

Specifications Summary

Accuracy

  • Nadir: <0.2 degrees with full Earth in FOV

  • Sun:    <0.2 degrees over entire FOV

Onboard

  • Processing of nadir and Sun angles

  • Dual FPGA/SRAM for redundancy

  • Measurement updates @ 1 Hz

  • I2C and UART interfaces

Electrical and mechanical

  • Operation voltage 3V3, 5V
  • Power consumption 150 (avg), 360 (max) mW
  • I2C bus voltage 3V3 / 5V
  • Operating temperature 10C to 70C
  • Mass (including cameras) 80g
  • Dimensions: PC104 board 90 x 96 x 10 mm
  • Dimensions: Camera modules 40 x 31 x 19mm

Downloads

User Manual
ICD
Spec Sheet