Application of expert system in CLASS

CLASS (communication link analysis and simulation system), an integrated software package that predicts the performance of all the communication links of NASA´s tracking and data relay satellite system (TDRSS) is discussed. CLASS utilizes many performance evaluation modules and associated databases to evaluate link performance measures that are essential to the design and planning of the system. Many expert system features have been developed for CLASS to provide the complex user interface, to establish the required databases, to control the execution of the modules, and to view and manipulate the intermediate and final output data. The application of expert systems in CLASS for modeling and analysis of the interference impact in a dynamic satellite network is demonstrated. A general description of the software is given and different components of the link and their simulation models are discussed. Some of the adjustable parameters in the link components which have different effects on system performance are also introduced. Some typical results that can be obtained from this software are shown.<>