Automated Procedure EXecution
Automated Procedure EXecution (APEX) is a generic portable procedure definition and execution tool that enables automation of spacecraft testing and spacecraft operations.
It has been designed to be performant, portable, distributable and scalable.
Its lightweight distributed architecture means it is able to support any mission configuration, from check-out for a single payload instrument to mission operations for satellite fleets or constellations.
APEX builds on SciSys' extensive experience of providing quality automated monitoring and control systems, such as the UNiT toolkit for Eutelsat, the UK MoD and Eumetsat.
Operations automation decreases operator work load, reducing staff manning profiles leading to significant savings in mission life time operational costs.
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APEX requires minimal integration and configuration effort, with low deployment and lifecycle costs.
APEX is based on Java technology and open standards, and requires no third party COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) software environments.
Its multi-satellite, client-server architecture separates User Displays from the Execution Engine itself and allows automation for multiple satellites to be distributed over several computers.
APEX can be interfaced to almost any mission control system including SCOS-2000. APEX has a graphical editor to support the development of operations and test procedures by spacecraft engineers. This incorporates many enhancements based on the operational experience of users of our UNiT toolkit.
APEX is being installed at EUMETSAT in 2005 as an upgrade to the existing UNiT system now used for MSG (Meteosat Second Generation). APEX is being enhanced with specific extensions to support its use in check-out, and to ensure compliance with the European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS) PLUTO standard.
A technical summary(
) of APEX (1284kb) is available for download. To view the PDF document () you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader - available from www.adobe.com.
