Multi-Mission Telecom Analysis Tool (MMTAT) is a C-language computer program for analyzing proposed spacecraft telecommunication systems. MMTAT utilizes parameterized input and computational models that can be run on standard desktop computers to perform fast and accurate analyses of telecommunication links. MMTAT is easy to use and can easily be integrated with other software applications and run as part of almost any computational simulation. It is distributed as either a stand-alone application program with a graphical user interface or a linkable library with a well-defined set of application programming interface (API) calls. As a stand-alone program, MMTAT provides both textual and graphical output. The graphs make it possible to understand, quickly and easily, how telecommunication performance varies with variations in input parameters. A delimited text file that can be read by any spreadsheet program is generated at the end of each run. The API in the linkable-library form of MMTAT enables the user to control simulation software and to change parameters during a simulation run. Results can be retrieved either at the end of a run or by use of a function call at any time step.
This program was written by Mark Kordon, David Hanks, Roy Gladden, and Eric Wood of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on- line at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing.Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393-3425. Refer to NPO-40298.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Analyzing Spacecraft Telecommunication Sytems
(reference NPO-40298) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
Don't have an account?
Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) focused on analyzing spacecraft telecommunication systems, specifically detailing the Multi-Mission Telecom Analysis Tool (MMTAT). This tool is designed to facilitate rapid and efficient analysis of telecom subsystems during the early formulation phase of space missions.
MMTAT is characterized by its user-friendly interface and ease of integration, making it suitable for engineers to perform trade studies independently or in collaboration with other subsystem engineers. It utilizes parameterized input and models based on the Deep Space Mission Systems Telecommunications Link Design Handbook, providing high-fidelity models for telecom link analysis that can be executed on standard desktop computers.
The tool is available as both a stand-alone application with a graphical user interface (GUI) and as a linkable library with a well-defined application programming interface (API). The stand-alone version generates graphical and text outputs, allowing users to visualize changes in telecom performance as input parameters are modified. The text output is formatted as a delimited file, compatible with spreadsheet programs for further analysis. The linkable library version enables users to control the simulation engine and modify parameters during simulations, offering flexibility in retrieving results either at the end of a run or at specific timesteps.
The document emphasizes the importance of using high-fidelity analysis tools like MMTAT early in the mission life cycle. By identifying design problems before hardware is built, MMTAT helps reduce costs and enhances mission safety through validated models from previous missions. This capability ensures that future simulations yield accurate results, which is critical for the success of space missions.
Additionally, the Technical Support Package provides information on accessing further resources and assistance through the NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program Office. It highlights the broader implications of aerospace-related developments and encourages the use of the information for technological, scientific, or commercial applications.
In summary, the document serves as a comprehensive guide to MMTAT, showcasing its features, benefits, and the significance of effective telecommunications analysis in the context of space missions.
