System Modelling for Spacecraft On-Board Computers

Abstract

This study makes an evaluation of the usability of SysML, a system graphical modeling language, for capturing functional requirements for space electronic products. This is done by a case study in which a model of a Packet Telemetry Encoder system is developed. The report includes a brief overview of various graphical modeling languages. The case study illustrates how the SysML provides system engineers with a robust modeling language. SysML is an extension to UML (unified modeling language) which is widely used by software engineers. The extension to the UML profile includes requirements modeling, parametric modeling, allocation and extension to structural and activity modeling. These extensions of the UML language are known as the SysML Profile. SysML is a representation of domain-specific engineering analysis models and the great advantage of applying the language is providing a single model to capture requirements, system elements and the relationship between these model elements. This capability of SysML is satisfying the traceability of requirements which is required in every stage during the system development life cycle. SysML is a methodology and tool independent language.