An Implementation of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) on a Large Scale Integrated Launch Vehicle Avionics Systems Engineering Architecture Trade Study

摘要

The objective of a large scale integrated avionics architecture trade study is to consistently and fairly choose among alternative architectures. A structured process is required to accomplish this objective. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) provides a framework, and was used to quantitatively choose among four potential alternative avionics complement architectures with respect to meeting avionics design objectives and mission needs. This paper focuses on an implementation of the AHP on a large scale integrated launch vehicle avionics systems engineering architecture trade study. Several key characteristics of the four alternative architectures are identified and form the evaluation criteria for the trade study. AHP was used to carefully evaluate the relative importance of the criteria, and aide in the comparative judgements and synthesis of the criteria priorities and the selection of the alternative. The alternative avionics solution selected is a modular, federated (pseudo distributed) architecture of subsystems which results in the most efficient overall launch vehicle management.