Distributed architecture for controlling spacecraft/robotic vehicles using remote engineering unit (REU)

This paper will present a novel approach for developing electronics for controlling spacecraft/robotic vehicles. This approach is based on a distributed system using Phillips Semiconductor's I/sup 2/C bus and what we call a remote engineering unit (REU). We feel that this approach has significant advantages over the conventional centralized design previously developed for missions such as Mars Pathfinder Mission. This work was developed for Mars Surveyor Program (MSP) Athena Rover project which is an integral part of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) project planned for launch in 2003/2005.