Virtual Satellite Payload Transponder Testing via Block Diagram Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite design and testing processes are hindered by conservatism in payload design, leading to larger and more costly satellites due to lack of design definition, resulting in recurring cost and schedule overruns, and limited testability with the Dynamic Space Simulator's rudimentary payload representation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an executable block diagram to create a customizable virtual payload, allowing for early definition of test requirements and high-fidelity performance simulation, enabling real-time testability and risk identification during the design phase through virtualized special test equipment and modular test system software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conservatism is applied in payload design to ensure actual end item performance, then reliability is improved, but satellite size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing comprehensive payload performance predictions and test program validation during the design phase using a high-fidelity virtual payload model. This allows design issues to be identified and corrected before actual satellite assembly, eliminating the need for excessive conservatism and redundant components in the final satellite design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the payload system that accurately replicates its electrical and RF performance characteristics. This virtual payload model serves as a digital twin that can be tested and validated without physical prototypes, allowing engineers to optimize the actual satellite design with higher confidence and reduce unnecessary weight margins.
2Adaptability or versatility
If design definition is delayed until later stages, then design flexibility is maintained, but test complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary test program validation using the virtual payload model during the proposal and baseline phases. This early validation identifies testability issues, complexity requirements, and scope needs before the actual design is finalized, allowing test requirements to be defined concurrently with design rather than after, thus reducing overall program complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If Dynamic Space Simulator is used for payload test validation, then mission operations readiness is achieved, but payload test capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a high-fidelity virtual copy of the payload that replicates its electrical, RF, and telemetry characteristics. This virtual payload model enables comprehensive test validation including RF signal performance, power consumption, and telemetry responses that go far beyond the rudimentary operational status checks available through the Dynamic Space Simulator alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual payload model serves as an intermediary between the design team and the physical testing infrastructure. It allows detailed payload performance validation to be performed independently of the Dynamic Space Simulator, with results that can be used to validate the test program before actual hardware testing, thereby overcoming the limitations of the DSS's rudimentary payload representation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of testing a design of a satellite payload transponder with modules of radio frequency (RF) communications circuitry includes executing a modeling application for establishing a modeling environment for generating a virtual satellite payload transponder and virtual test equipment. The virtual satellite payload transponder has virtual modules of RF communications circuitry, with functionality equivalent to that of the satellite payload transponder with modules of RF communications circuitry. The virtual test equipment has functionality equivalent to that of physical test equipment in conjunction with modular test system software. The modeling environment establishes an executable block diagram for performing a simulation of executed satellite payload transponder command, RF signal performance and telemetry response testing, utilizing a given version of the modular test system software corresponding to the modules of RF communications circuitry of the design of the satellite payload transponder.