SmartRings: advanced tool for communications satellite payload reconfiguration

SmartRings is an optional component of (R) hifly, GMV's advanced suite of products for spacecraft monitoring and control systems. SmartRings provides the operator with the capability to easily reconfigure the payload of a communications satellite. Initially developed to focus on ring reconfiguration, it has progressively extended its scope to manage the entire payload configuration. SmartRings has no external or commercial off the shelf (COTS) products dependencies and can be used as a "standalone" tool. It includes an Application Programming Interface (API) that provides a natural connection to hifly's command and control system. The API is also designed to easily interface with any command and control system. A new version of SmartRings has recently been developed to include a generic reconfiguration algorithm that can be configured to model most modern communication payloads layouts and behaviors, taking into account signal degradation parameters such as attenuation, insertion losses, etc. It supports "bent pipe" payloads as well as spot-beam payloads. The reconfiguration algorithm is controlled by the payload engineer through the use of constrain and optimization parameters (such as maximum number of channels that can disturbed, channels that must not be disturbed, number of switches to be operated, number of switch rotations and maximum signal degradation). The algorithm has knowledge of the payload design, physical and operational constrains and status of payload devices (a comprehensive list of operational statuses is supported: operational, failed, stuck switches, parked TWTAs or amplifiers, etc). SmartRings computes all feasible configuration solutions and outputs them, along with a list of qualifying parameters that characterize each solution. The payload engineer can sort the different configurations based on their qualifying parameters and select the solution that best fulfils the actual operational need. The telecommands required to safely implement the desired solution are produced in formats that meet the operational needs of the user, such as a flight product ready for upload to the satellite, or as a detailed engineering report.