ESA project SYMBOL: VHTS System Emulator Based on Functional Modelling of the System

Project Description:

Current analysis and optimisation tools require setting up and implementing very complex simulation scenarios before the performance of a VHTS system can be assessed. Moreover, those scenarios are specifically tailored to the coverage and payload configuration requiring already a detailed knowledge of the system design. This approach provides a high level of precision, but limits the optimisation capabilities and the flexibility to explore other design options. This results in specialised SW tools that are specific to a payload architecture and thus difficult to reuse and/or expand for different scenarios.  

To achieve simulation tools that are generic, reusable, maintainable, reliable and easily expandable, this activity will follow a functional modelling approach. By combining the principles of model-based system engineering with those of functional programming the ESA SYMBOL project will develop a system emulator that allows satcom engineers to explore the design space of satcom systems within given payload constraints. 

The main objective of ESA project SYMBOL: VHTS System Emulator Based on Functional Modelling of the System is to develop and test a VHTS system emulator based on the functional modelling/programming of the system elements. This approach will enable payload-constrained system analysis and optimization not possible with current tools relying on procedural programming. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. VHTS Emulator Architecture

 

Funding: This project is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA)

Industrial Partner: Thales Alenia Space (Italy) - Prime, WISER (Italy)

Project Starting Date: April 2022

Project Duration: 18 Months

Research Team:

• Dr Eva Lagunas (SnT) – PI
• Dr. Vu Nguyen Ha (SnT)
• Prof. Dr. Symeon Chatzinotas (SnT)

 

Contact: eva.lagunas@uni.lu