Simulink-Flight Software Bridge for Model Based Testing

Model-Based Testing (MBT) has become a powerful tool used for validating complex flight software systems, particularly in safety-critical space applications. This paper presents a novel MBT framework that leverages Simulink® with operational flight software used in space missions, including applications within NASA’s Gateway program. The core of our approach is a Simulink–Flight Software Bridge. The bridge is designed to allow real-time sending and receiving of telemetry and commands with the flight software using the Space Packet Protocol (SPP).

To facilitate rapid test development, the MBT bridge blockset is auto generated from standard interface definitions XTCE files. We developed a tool to parse the XTCE files and extract telemetry definitions and command arguments, and automatically configure the Simulink bridge accordingly. The resulting framework supports open and closed-loop simulations, Model-in-the-loop (MIL), Software-in-the-loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and functional validation against interface specifications. Our implementation improves testing coverage and early bug detection in mission-critical spaceflight software. The solution can be leveraged to be used with other applications with similar interface architectures.