A method of evaluating candidate spacecraft data system architectures

The authors discuss a trade study of spacecraft data system architectures that engineers at Honeywell Inc., Space Systems Group, performed using an architecture trade-off tool (AToT). AToT is a tool that compares preliminary designs against criteria that measure the goodness of a solution. AToT is useful for any trade study in which two or more alternatives must be compared. AToT allows a system engineer to quickly and easily perform trade studies early in a system´s life cycle. Although the data control system study discussed illustrates AToT´s usefulness in evaluating back-of-the envelope designs, it can also be used for more detailed trade studies