Optimizing satellite payload reconfiguration with smartrings

Abstract

The increasing flexibility of modern communication satellites is making it much more difficult to identify the payload reconfiguration that best accommodates the failure of a component and/or changing operational constraints. Payload engineers spend many hours analyzing the payload design and constraints to identify a reconfiguration solution that does not violate physical and performance requirements of the payload. SmartRings is an optional component of hifly®, GMV's complete monitoring and control solution for satellite fleet operations. SmartRings provides the payload engineers with the capability to easily reconfigure the entire payload of a communications satellite. SmartRings allows to model modern payloads layouts and behaviors, including both "bent pipe" as well as spot-beam payloads. The flight configuration of the payload can be obtained from housekeeping TM by directly interfacing with the control center. In addition, SmartRings allows the payload engineer to further specify the problem scenario, including the identification of payload device status (possibly not reported in TM; a comprehensive list of operational statuses is supported: operational, failed, stuck switches, parked TWTAs or amplifiers, etc) as well as selection of operational constrains (channels that must not be di sturbed, channels that must be in service after the reconfiguration, etc). The tool features a generic reconfiguration algorithm that computes all feasible solutions for the defined scenario attending to a series of optimization criteria (minimizing either the number of channels that are disturbed, the number of switches to be operated, the number of switch rotations or the signal degradation). Each candidate target configuration is presented along a list of qualifying parameters that characterize the solution. These include the number of disturbed channels, the number of rotated switches, the number of switch rotations and the signal attenuation prior to the amplification (at the TWTA) of the downlink signal. The payload engineer can then compare the different configurations based on their qualifying parameters and select the solution that best fulfils the actual operational constraints. Finally, the chosen configuration can be formatted and uploaded to the target control center as a list of telecommands, a procedure or as an offline report. SmartRings represents a huge leap forward in the operations of communications satellites. It not only enables a dramatic reduction in the time required to reconfigure a payload when the need arises, but also provides payload engineers with a "what-if" tool that allows to be prepared for future component failures. © 2006 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.