Part 10: Customize Analysis with Analysis Workbench

This training requires additional licenses to complete. You can obtain the necessary license for the training by visiting http://licensing.agi.com/stk/evaluation or calling AGI support.

Using Analysis Workbench Tools (), you can build custom geometric, temporal and logical operations through a graphical user interface to extend STK’s modeling and analysis. These tools serve as the building blocks for advanced analysis through the click of just a few buttons. Use the STK Analysis Workbench to:

  • Model non-standard system components
  • Define new measures of effectiveness
  • Create custom calculations without any scripting
  • Trigger events based on temporal, geometric and logical function

The Time, Vector Geometry, and Calculation Tools are application-wide tools designed to streamline, organize, and extend the fundamental computational capabilities of STK.

When creating components for objects in Analysis Workbench, it is a good idea to consider what objects those components should logically be created for (e.g. an angle with two vectors originating from an object that should belong to that object.)

Vector Geometry Tool

Use the Vector Geometry Tool (VGT) to build custom geometric models from any combination of out-of-the box or user-created vectors (), points (), angles (), planes (), axes (), and coordinate system () components.

  • Define unique system access constraints
  • Build custom platform and payload orientations
  • Import and export data in any reference frame

AGI currently holds a patent for VGT called “Method and Apparatus for Creating Elements and Systems for Description of Position and Motion of Bodies in Three-Dimensional Space to Support Orbital Maneuver Analysis.”

Create a Targeted Vector from a Fixed Location to a Vehicle

Watch the following video, then follow the steps below incorporating the systems and missions you work on (sample inputs provided).

  1. Create a new scenario.Closed
    1. Click the Create a Scenario () button.
    2. In the New Scenario Wizard, set the following options:
      1. Enter a Name for the scenario (e.g. STK_AWB).
      2. Define the analysis start and stop times or accept the defaults.
    3. Click OK.
  2. Model a ground site (any type: ,, ) using one of the available methods: (examples below)Closed
    1. Insert a Place () and Search by Address (require Internet ()) (e.g. Mount St. Helens, WA).
  3. Model a moving vehicle (, , ) that has visibility to the ground site using one of the available methods (examples below).Closed
    1. Insert an aircraft () by clicking the waypoints in the 3D Graphics window (e.g. create a route around Mount St. Helens).
  4. Compute Access between the moving vehicle and ground site.Closed
    1. Open the Access tool ().
    2. On the Access panel, click the Select Object... button and select the moving vehicle as the Access For object (From).
    3. Select the ground site as the "To" object (e.g. Mt. St. Helens).
    4. Click the Compute button.
    5. Click Access... in the Reports section to generate an Access report.
    6. If there is no access, modify the vehicle's orbit, route, or trajectory.
  5. Click the Analysis Workbench () icon or extend the Analysis menu and select Analysis Workbench.
  6. Create a displacement vector () from the moving vehicle to the ground site.Closed
    1. Select the Vector Geometry tab.
    2. Select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1) to make that object the Parent object.
    3. Click the Create New Vector () button.
    4. Ensure the Type to Displacement (default).
    5. Enter a name for the vector (e.g. ToMtStHelens) in the Name field.
    6. If the Parent is not the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft/Aircraft1), click the Select... button to choose the correct parent.
    7. Click the ellipsis () button to select the Origin Point.
      1. Select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1).
      2. Select Center on the list.
      3. Click OK.
    8. Click the ellipsis () button to select the Destination Point.
      1. Select the ground site (e.g. Mount_St_Helens_WA).
      2. Select Center in the Points For: list.
      3. Click OK.
    9. Click OK to save the vector properties and dismiss the Add Geometry Component window.
  7. Create an angle () between the targeted vector and the moving vehicle's Body Z vector.Closed
    1. On the Vector Geometry tab, select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1) and make it the Parent object.
    2. Click the Create New Angle () button.
    3. If the Type is not set to Between Vectors..., click the Select... button to select Component Type.
    4. Enter a vector name (e.g. pointingAngle) in the Name field.
    5. If the Parent is not the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft/Aircraft1), click the Select... button to choose the correct parent.
    6. Click the ellipsis () button to select the From Vector.
      1. Select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1) on the left.
      2. Select the new Displacement Vector (e.g. toMtStHelens) in the My Components directory on the right.
      3. Click OK.
    7. Click the ellipsis () button to select the To Vector.
      1. Select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1) on the left.
      2. Click to expand the Body axes on the right, and select the Z Vector.
      3. Click OK.
    8. Click OK to save the angle properties and dismiss the Add Geometry Component window.
  8. Display the custom vector components for the moving vehicle in the 3D Graphics window.Closed
    1. Open the moving vehicle's Properties... ().
    2. Select the 3D Graphics - Vector page.
    3. Click the Add... button.
      1. Select a desired vector or angle (e.g. toMtStHelens Vector, Body Z Vector, pointingAngle Angle).
      2. Click the Insert button to add it to the selected list.
      3. Repeat the previous steps until all components are in the Selected List.
      4. Click OK to dismiss the Add Geometry Component Window.
    4. Enable the Show option to display the desired components (e.g. Body Axes, toMtStHelens Vector, Body Z Vector, pointingAngle Angle).

      5. To also display the angle value in the 3D Graphics window, click on the angle component in the list and enable the Show Angle Value option.

    5. Click OK to apply the changes and dismiss the Properties Browser.
    6. Right-click on the object and select Zoom To to see the object and the vectors.

Vectors are displayed using the objects 3D Graphics - Vector page. If the vectors or axes are not listed, you can add them.

Calculation Tool

Use the Calculation tool to combine system data with algebraic, functional, and calculus operations to extend models and define new data providers with custom algorithms from 20 mathematical operations.

Operations available in the Calculation tab of the Analysis Workbench include:

  • Scalar calculations ()
  • Conditions ()
  • Parameter sets ()

Calculation Components are time-dependent quantities that produce computational results and can be reported, graphed, transformed, and analyzed.

You need to have completed the Vector Geometry Tool lesson before you attempt the following tasks.

Create a New Condition for when the Angle between the moving vehicle and a fixed location

Watch the following video, then follow the steps below incorporating the systems and missions you work on (sample inputs provided).

  1. Add a Scalar Calculation () that references the angle created in the lesson above.Closed
    1. Click to select the Calculation tab.
    2. Select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1) to make it the Parent object.
    3. Click the Create New Scalar Calculation ().
    4. If the Type is not set to Angle, click Select... to select Angle as the Component Type.
    5. Enter a scalar name (e.g. pointingAngleScalar) in the Name field.
    6. If the Parent object is not the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft/Aircraft1), click Select... to choose the correct parent object.
    7. Click the ellipsis () button to select the Input Angle.
      1. Select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1) on the left.
      2. Select the custom angle (e.g. pointingAngle) in the Angles for: list on the right.
      3. Click OK.
    8. Click OK to save the scalar properties and dismiss the Add Calculation Component window.

      9. Scalar calculations, in particular, allow users to create new calculations using various functional operations as well as calculus, e.g., differentiation and integration.

  2. Add a Condition () that references the angle created in the lesson above.Closed
    1. On the Calculation tab, select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1) to make it the Parent object.
    2. Click the Create New Condition () button.
    3. If the Type is not set to Scalar Bounds, click Select... to choose Scalar Bounds as the Component Type.
    4. Enter a condition name (e.g. above80degrees) in the Name field.
    5. If the Parent is not the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft/Aircraft1), click Select... to choose the correct Parent object.
    6. Click the ellipsis () button to select the Origin Point.
      1. Select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1) on the left.
      2. Select the custom scalar (e.g. pointingAngleScalar) in the Scalar Calculations for: list on the right.
      3. Set the Operation to Above Minimum.
      4. Set the Minimum option to the desired value (e.g. 80 deg).
      5. Click OK.
    7. Click OK to save the condition properties and dismiss the Add Calculation Component window.
  3. Create a report that lists the times when the defined condition is met.Closed

    4. The Quick Report Manager is available from the Analysis menu and an object's right-click menu.

    1. On the Calculation tab, right-click on the new condition (e.g. above80degrees) and select Report/Graph.
    2. Click the Report/Graph button to generate the report.
    3. Click Close to dismiss the Calculation Report/Graph window.
  4. Add the condition to the Timeline View.Closed
    1. If your Timeline View is not open, extend the View menu and select the Timeline View.
    2. Select Add Time Components () in the Timeline View toolbar.
    3. Select the STK moving vehicle object (e.g. Aircraft1).
    4. Select AvailabilityTimeSpan in the Components For section. Click Apply.
    5. Expand the condition (e.g. above80degrees) and select any SatisfactionIntervals.
    6. If the moving vehicle's availability time span is shorter than the scenario time period, right-click on the vehicle's availability time span interval and select Center.

      7. Use the Start Time of the SensorOnTimes interval to set the reference time instant.

Time Tool

Use the Time tool (inside the Analysis Workbench) to create and manage any time instance (), interval () or interval collection () as a named entity for use as a model property or calculation object. Time components can be added to the Timeline View and used anywhere that a time interval is relevant within STK. Relevant locations within STK could be display times for a sensor or temporal constraints for an analysis. With the Time Tool, users can:

  • Create event triggers using logical operations, time shifts, times of extremum, satisfaction times, etc.
  • Manage system simulation using relative mission times
  • Visualize any time component in a dedicated window

Time components can be added to the Timeline View which provides a new way to display and operate on time components. They can be added via the Timeline View menus or dragged and dropped into the Timeline View from the Analysis Workbench window.

Time is fundamental to most computations in STK and is used in reporting and graphing. Time is also used in static and dynamic visualizations as well.

You need to have completed the Calculation Tool lesson before you attempt the following tasks.

Create a Custom Interval Set that defines Tracking Opportunities

Watch the following video, then follow the steps below incorporating the systems and missions you work on (sample inputs provided).

  1. Add an Interval List () that defines the times the condition created above is satisfied.Closed
    1. Click to select the Time tab.
    2. Select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1) to make it the Parent object.
    3. Click the Create New Interval List ().
    4. Click Select... to choose Merged as the Component Type. Click OK.
    5. Enter an Interval List (e.g. visibilityTimes) in the Name field.
    6. If the Parent object is not the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft/Aircraft1), click Select... to choose the correct parent.
    7. Select the two Components in the Time Components field.
    8. Click OK.
    9. Click the Add... button and add the Access Intervals between the moving vehicle and the ground site as the first Time Component.

      10. The Access Intervals time component is found under Access objects.

      1. Select the Access between the moving vehicle and the ground site.
      2. Select AccessIntervals in the Components For list.
      3. Click OK.
    10. Click the Add... button and add the previously created condition (e.g. above80Degrees) as the second Time Component.
      1. Select the moving vehicle (e.g. Aircraft1).
      2. Expand the condition (e.g. above80Degrees) and select SatisfactionIntervals in the Components For list.
      3. Click OK.
    11. Set the Operation to Minus.

      12. Subtracting intervals is done using the Merged interval list type.

    12. Click OK to save the scalar properties and dismiss the Add Calculation Component window.
  2. Add the interval () to the Timeline View.Closed
    1. If your Timeline View is not open, extend the STK View menu and select Timeline View.
    2. In the Timeline View toolbar, select Add Time Components ().
    3. Select the STK moving vehicle object (e.g. Aircraft1).
    4. Select the new interval list (e.g. visibilityTimes). Click OK.

Don't forget to save your work!

Open topic with navigation