| Small satellite systems are fast becoming very attractive for space science exploration especially in low earth orbit due to their more cost-effective benefits. However, the constraints placed on these satellites in terms of their form factor, mass and power requirements, limit their usefulness and effectiveness for highly complex missions. Furthermore, the limited capability of the communication system of these satellites remains the most significant hurdle to their optimal utilization. Confronted with these challenges, our goal is to develop a system architectural model-based on model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach and principles, that can be used to capture, analyze and describe the communication system design equipped with inter-satellite communication capability for high-speed data relay. In this dissertation, we develop a high-level system architectural model for inter-satellite communication among a constellation of small satellites utilizing a hybrid visible light and X-band communication system. First, a model-based architectural framework is developed for defining the behavioral and structural aspects of an ISC system architecture to ensure a rigorous architectural design process is adhered to. Second, a domain-specific profile that extends the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) is developed for enabling the capture of ISC system domain information with a higher degree of precision, leaving less room for interpretation. Third, a high-level system architecture model is developed consisting of a conceptual phase design model capturing the concept of operations for the proposed ISC system; a system-level requirements model defining unambiguous, consistent, attainable and verifiable ISC system requirements that are located in the central model repository. Finally, following the definition of ISC system requirements, the high-level system architecture model is developed; the communication system model is defined for the communication-oriented layers (physical, data-link and network layers) of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model. The developed system architecture model captures the system behavior, structure and parametric. The high-level architecture model lays the groundwork for our future work which entails the development of models for the detailed design phase of the design life-cycle. |
