Custom Software for Aerospace and Defense
SC Solutions has developed several custom software packages for the aerospace and defense industries.
Target Position Sensor Signal Processing
Developed software for filtering radar data of a moving target’s orientation and position using an extended Kalman filter approach. Matlab, Simulink, and Real-time Workshop Code were used, and the final software was integrated into an APS (Active Protection System) framework.
Software for Optimizing Satellite Alignment Thrusters
Developed Matlab tool that utilizes a number of gradient-based search techniques to optimize the orientation of satellite attitude control thrusters. Various costs and constraints were modeled.
Software for Satellite Station-keeping Gain Design
Designed and implemented GUI-based Matlab package that provides analysis and cost function evaluation features enabling the controls engineer to design on-orbit satellite gains for the station-keeping mode. The tool’s suite of linear and nonlinear analysis and simulation options enable the engineer to evaluate candidate designs and use a robust optimization algorithm to optimize the designs if desired. The GUI allows the user to select and customize the spacecraft conditions over which the gains are evaluated.
Software Package for Satellite Station-keeping Simulation
Developed the simulation engine for the station-keeping design process and implemented in Matlab/Simulink and C (S-functions). The spacecraft dynamics and the on-board control software are modeled in Simulink. The setup scripts and user interface allow the user to configure the hardware and software model for any given spacecraft. Multiple simulation options are provided, including Monte Carlo randomization and fixed suite. This tool is used in all phases of the station-keeping design process, including acceptance testing of the on-board flight software.
Satellite Performance Simulation Tool
Developed and implemented a tool which simulates the spacecraft performance in on-orbit or wheel control mode. All aspects of the spacecraft are modeled in Xmath/SystemBuild, including the 3-DOF linear dynamics, solar torque and magnetic field disturbance, sensor and actuation dynamics, and on-board control software. After the simulation is configured for a given spacecraft, a standalone C code version of the model is generated using the Autocode feature of Xmath. After the C code is compiled and linked, custom shell scripts are used to set up and manage multiple simulations using a suite of varying input conditions. The simulations are run across a network of Unix machines, using shell scripts to monitor the progress of each simulation and evaluate the load on each machine in the network before instantiating the next simulation. These tools allow overnight simulation of varying input conditions and several years of spacecraft functioning.
Software Tool for Managing Multiple Data Sources in Satellite
Developed a GUI-based Matlab tool that allows a lead engineer to manage the multiple data sources that combine to describe the hardware properties of a given spacecraft. As multiple input files (mass properties, flexible modes, etc.) are generated by different groups, the tool allows the lead engineer to import the raw files, perform some data reduction, and export the resulting set of hardware properties in formats that are appropriate for the many different mode designers.
Software Package for Aircraft Controller Certification
Developed a GUI-based tool for certifying controller-plant performance (or stability) over a variety of operating points, or over plant or controller parameter values using linear analysis, combined with experimental data.