Labsat – Test and Development Setup

The Labsat is a specialized test and development setup engineered to facilitate the testing and characterization of individual PocketQube boards, as well as complete PocketQube stacks, or any configuration in between. Its primary purpose is to provide a safe and secure environment for board testing by eliminating the need for direct connections via connectors or jumper wires, thereby reducing physical interaction with the boards. This is achieved through a main board equipped with four PocketQube headers, capable of accommodating any PocketQube board. The Labsat board integrates a microprocessor and additional hardware to monitor and interact with the connected boards. Interaction and control can be managed via a USB interface. Furthermore, all signals are broken out through a cable to a secure location, ensuring that direct connection to the Labsat board itself is never required. The physical construction of the Labsat board consists of a solid base housing the electronics and a raised PCB. Four PocketQube sockets are located on the top of this board, into which any PocketQube board can be plugged. A connector provides the link to the base of the Labsat, ensuring a secure connection method for the stack. The system is designed to allow every pin on the header to be monitored, logged, or controlled, with a phased approach for full capability implementation. One of the sockets is specifically designed for current monitoring, enabling an EPS (Electrical Power System) to be placed there to track current draws. It features two such sockets to monitor draw from both a battery and an EPS. The design incorporates both electronically controllable and mechanical switches, allowing for stack-level switching.