Telecommunications – Carrier wave repeater or relay system – Portable or mobile repeater
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-30
2001-04-17
Cumming, William (Department: 2684)
Telecommunications
Carrier wave repeater or relay system
Portable or mobile repeater
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219526
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to controlling satellites, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for developing a satellite commanding procedure.
BACKGROUND ART
A ground station controls the deployment and other satellite commanding procedures when the satellite is launched into space. A satellite commanding procedure may have a number of satellite commanding functions. Each satellite commanding function has a number of procedure steps associated therewith. Each procedure steps have a number of arguments associated therewith such as the timing for the certain events.
Satellite commanding functions such as firing bolt cutters, performing turning sequences or other operations are initiated according to the satellite commanding procedure in the ground station. The satellite commanding procedure with its associated satellite commanding functions is developed before the satellite is launched to allow verification of the satellite commanding procedure.
One method that is used to develop satellite commanding procedures is a commercially available program called a mission tool kit. One function of the mission tool kit is to verify that it is possible to associate various checks with a given command in the procedure. The programming language results in a lengthy difficult to understand program. One drawback with such a method for developing a satellite commanding procedure is that the operation of the program cannot be verified in real time, which is highly desirable for satellite program development. That is, before the satellite is deployed a check of the satellite commanding procedure is executed to verify operation. Previously, real time procedures could not be run.
Another drawback to the prior manner in which commanding procedures are implemented is that not all relevant information is displayed on the screen. In addition, the actual lines of code are lengthy, making it difficult and time consuming to determine the course of the procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an easier method for developing a satellite commanding procedure. It is a further object of the invention to provide a means to check the state of the commanding procedures in real time prior to operation on the satellite.
In one aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for developing a satellite commanding procedure comprises the steps of entering a plurality of arguments to be associated with a screen indicator object, passing the arguments and the satellite commanding function through a stub generator, and generating a stub as a function of the satellite commanding function and the plurality of arguments. The method further includes the steps of adding the satellite commanding function, arguments and procedure steps to a satellite commanding procedure, initiating operation of the satellite commanding procedure, calling a mediator with various arguments which recalls a stub associated with a satellite commanding function, and, directing the procedure to recall the procedure steps and arguments in response to the stub.
In a further aspect of the invention, a system for generating a satellite commanding procedure includes a computer having a central processing unit and a screen display coupled to the computer. The display has a plurality of object-oriented display indicia. An input device is coupled to the computer. The input device is used to enter a plurality of arguments into the computer. A stub generator operating with the computer receives the arguments and generates a stub. A mission tool kit has a plurality of stored commands. A program memory stores the satellite commanding procedure. The computer associates the stub with a procedure and stores the procedure in the program memory.
One advantage of the invention is that the operator of the ground station may readily observe and understand the procedure as it is being tested and executed. Another advantage of the invention is that development costs have been lowered to due the ease of use and reuse, the ease of programming satellite commanding procedures and the ease of maintainability.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6081263 (2000-06-01), LeGall et al.
The United States House of Representatives Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the People's Republic of China, Chapter 5, Jan. 3, 1999.
Cumming William
Gudmestad T.
Hughes Electronics Corporation
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