The management of communications satellite transponders (which in occasions may be shared by hundreds of carriers) while trying to optimize the on-board resources is major challenge for payload engineers. The activity also involves a close coordination with the sales team, in particular to support temporary satellite access. smartHz, which is part of the GMV's suite of products for payload operations, is a transponder optimization and frequency plan management tool, allowing communications satellite operators to maximize their space segment capacity in terms of power and bandwidth utilization. The tool features accurate models (for link budget and impairments analysis computations, including the nonlinear behavior of transponder amplifiers) supporting various optimization algorithms for the computation of carrier powers in different occupancy scenarios (from a single carrier to hundreds of carriers) as well as the capability of easily simulating and working with different transponder occupancy scenarios in order to decide the best carrier allocation and transponder configuration. The tool graphically shows the transponder occupancy and relevant data, permitting the user to identify at a glance the available/consumed power and bandwidth or the zones with higher intermodulation interference inside the transponder band. From an architectural point of view, smartHz is based on J2EE web technology supporting a multi-user environment and access from any computer connected to the IP network and by other non-engineering teams. Taking advantage of the web architecture and multi-user support, different teams (P/L engineering team, the sales team) can share information and coordinate their work. The tool can be deployed either as a standalone tool (optionally along with an optional Capacity Management module) or be fully integrated with other payload related operational systems, such as a CSM system, a payload reconfiguration management tool, a satellite power management tool or a billing system.
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