A method of evaluating candidate spacecraft data system architectures

The authors discuss a trade study of spacecraft data system architectures that engineers at Honeywell Inc., Space Systems Group, performed using an architecture trade-off tool (AToT). AToT is a tool that compares preliminary designs against criteria that measure the goodness of a solution. AToT is useful for any trade study in which two or more alternatives must be compared. AToT allows a system engineer to quickly and easily perform trade studies early in a system's life cycle. Although the data control system study discussed illustrates AToT's usefulness in evaluating back-of-the envelope designs, it can also be used for more detailed trade studies.<
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