STCAD Pro 2019 is the newest and upgraded release of the original STCAD, a successful tool developed under ESA Contract in 2016. The new version has been redesigned from scratch and includes numerous new features that makes it a powerful and practical tool for Engineers in the area of Satellite communication subsystems.
The new tool helps in the generation of architectural designs. It is intended to assist in the trade-offs and the definition of TT&C subsystem architectures for a variety of space missions. Several analyses are available to help in this design in an iterative process. The tool characteristics and features:
• Visual Design, user friendly with intuitive interaction. The graphical interface provides a layout with key areas to allow fast design and analysis and pre-configured components which help to setup a TT&C architecture in a quick and convenient way.
• Provides a complete palette (library) of components ready to use. The user can modify existing components or add new custom ones. The component behavior is implemented with source code modifiable by the user in real-time, thanks to real-time compilation. Components can be connected through Coaxial, Waveguide lines or a direct connection (ideal line).
• Tailored for TT&C subsystems
 Element library (typical models & parameters)
 Measured components (S-Parameter files) can be used
 Simulated parameters (supporting Link budget analysis)
• Cascade analysis
 Multi-frequency simultaneous analyses.
 Models are defined by their S-parameter matrix.
 Includes passive and active components non-linear performances
 Mismatch accounts for the whole chain
 Thermal noise accounts for different temperature of elements.
 Backward and forward propagation of energy through the cascade.
 Frequency dependent behavior of Waveguides, Amplifiers, Filters, Diplexers, Triplexer
 Antenna Coupling.
 Automatic identification of all possible signal paths found in the schematics.
 User defined Filter Masks, Amplifier models and Antenna Gain Patterns.
 Nominal, worst- and best-case analysis.
• Link Budget analysis
 Flexible computation of all most common link budget parameters for suppressed/residual carriers.
 CNES Propa ® tool based atmospheric losses calculation (using a runtime library).
 Multiple choices of user-provided, cascade-analysis derived or locally computed parameters (EIRP, G/T, atmospheric losses, C/No – bent pipe repeater)
 Static and dynamic simulations, based on custom-defined, imported or internally generated orbital trajectory (SGP4, based on Keplerian parameters).
 Adaptive application of most common link performance degradation contributions (Transmitter EVM & C/I3, spacecraft pointing losses, interferences).
 Uses Ephemerides (NASA JPL 405) for Sun and Moon Positions.
 Dynamic Noise from celestial bodies and background radiation.
 Antenna Gain Patterns and Filter Masks manually defined or imported from CSV files.
• A command console is available together with and API. This provides enormous opportunities for automation and for custom analysis. Command line use is possible using scripting language (C# code).
• Includes Designers for Orbits and Trajectories, Filter Masks, Amplifier Data and Antenna Gain Patterns. All results can be plotted comparatively, and everything can be printed out.