Software for Modeling Spacecraft Electric Power
TBMG-3237
05/01/2002
- Content
Multi-Mission Power Analysis Tool (MMPAT) is a computer program for constructing computational models of the generation, storage, consumption, and flow of electric power in a spacecraft. Heretofore, such modeling has been accomplished by means of unique software for each application. In contrast, MMPAT offers a generic capability for constructing models for diverse applications, thereby potentially reducing development time and cost. MMPAT includes, principally, modeling algorithms and software for a graphical user interface (GUI). The modeling algorithms are encoded in the C programming language because C is commonly used and handles large sets of data fairly well, and because programs written in C can be readily attached to other programs. The GUI software is written Tcl/Tk, which is a scripting language. Tcl/Tk was chosen because it is portable among operating systems, includes a socket interface for connecting to external programs, has the look and feel of a traditional Windows application program, and can be used gratis. Together, the set of algorithms and the GUI software have proven to be a powerful combination that can be compiled into a single executable program.
- Citation
- "Software for Modeling Spacecraft Electric Power," Mobility Engineering, May 1, 2002.