Abstract: A method for structuring satellite command and control directives in a hierarchical syntax comprises the steps of: defining at least one satellite command and control directive; and, associating the directive with a family of directives. The method can further comprise the step of compiling the associated families and directives into a binary persistent library. In addition, the method can include the step of displaying in a graphical user interface (GUI) a hierarchy representing the associations among the families and directives in order to assist a user in assembling satellite directives, and, in a complex system, subdirectives. Advantageously, the inventive method can present the hierarchy in a tree-structure. In addition, the method can accept a selection of a subnode; and, in response to a selection, display in the GUI parameters corresponding to the directive associated with the selected subnode.

Abstract: A method for using a computer system to dynamically represent the state of any device comprising a plurality of sub-systems. The method includes the steps of providing a modeling language for permitting a user to define a hierarchical data structure comprised of a plurality of leaves. Each leaf represents a discrete symbol associated with a sub-system of the device. A parent symbol is similarly defined representing a level of abstraction of the device which is higher in said hierarchy than the plurality of leaves. In response to updated data received for any said leaf symbol, the system automatically determines an updated state of the leaf symbol based on the updated data and automatically propagates the updated state to the parent symbol. Consequently, a state of any device and its sub-systems can be dynamically represented, without the need for customized computer programming, once the hierarchical data structure has been defined by a user.

Abstract: A method for graphically assisting system commanding can comprise the steps of: receiving a user-specified command; retrieving from a command database a command template corresponding to the specified command, the command template including at least one operational parameter corresponding to the specified command; for each retrieved operational parameter in the command template, adding to a graphical user interface (GUI) a GUI element corresponding to characteristics of the operational parameter; and, displaying the GUI. The user interface elements can include drop down boxes, sliders and text fields. The method can further comprise the steps of: for each GUI element in the GUI, accepting a value; and, formatting a command string containing the accepted values.