Automated support for spacecraft onboard equipment design on the basis of a heterogeneous model

Abstract This article presents methods and software tools for modeling and analysis of space system onboard equipment operation. The authors suggest the design of a heterogeneous model uniting knowledge bases and virtual devices simulating work of data reception and transmission equipment. Model design considers tasks appearing during preparation of satellite production at a company-manufacturer of the space industry. The model can be used at the stages of designing and testing of the onboard equipment. For design support, the model allows assessment of parameters of the reception-and-transmission path and of destabilizing factor influence on communication line quality. For ground test support, the model simulates functions of the onboard equipment during command-and-software control of a spacecraft, providing reception and transmission methods for a wide range of commands and methods of generation of telemetry frame values. The comparison of precedents obtained during simulation tests with the results of the finished equipment testing, allows determination of special features of the onboard system operation that can stay unnoticed if other methods of test preparation and analysis are applied.