How to set up Environmental Profiles in MADE?

This article offers an overview of Environmental Profiles within the MADE framework and provides step-by-step guidance on how to establish these profiles in MADE.

Environmental Profiles Overview

Environmental profiles are critical components in the design and assessment of systems, as they define the various conditions under which a system will be expected to operate. These profiles are generally divided into two main categories: System Baseline and Mission Phase / Segment-specific. Each of these categories plays a unique role in understanding and predicting how environmental factors will impact system performance and reliability.

1. System Baseline

The System Baseline refers to the intended or expected environment that the system is designed to operate within under normal circumstances. This profile establishes the foundational environmental conditions that the system is engineered to withstand throughout its lifecycle. It encompasses the range of environmental parameters — such as temperature, humidity, and electromagnetic interference — that the system will routinely encounter during its standard operations.

2. Mission-Based Profile

In contrast, the Mission-Based Profile focuses on the environmental conditions specific to particular mission phases or segments, and is relevant to vectors. It includes all environmental conditions encountered during different stages of a mission, such as launch, flight, orbit, landing, or other critical operations.

Environmental Factors Considered

Each environmental profile — whether it's the System Baseline or Mission-Based — includes detailed information about various environmental factors that the system is likely to encounter. These factors are essential for evaluating the system's durability, reliability, and overall performance in the face of different challenges. Common environmental factors considered include:

• Acceleration: The forces experienced by the system during rapid movements, changes in velocity, or during phases like launch and re-entry.
• Pressure: Variations in atmospheric or fluid pressure that may affect the structural integrity or operational capability of the system.
• Contamination: Exposure to particles, gases, or other contaminants that could degrade system components or interfere with operations.

Understanding these environmental profiles is crucial for system engineers and designers as they provide insights into the potential vulnerabilities or susceptibilities of the system to various environmental stressors. By accurately predicting and planning for these environmental factors, engineers can design systems that are more robust, reliable, and capable of performing their intended functions even in challenging conditions. This proactive approach ensures that the system will operate effectively throughout its mission lifecycle, regardless of the environmental challenges it may face.

How to set up Environmental Profiles in MADE?

1. Right click on the top level system and choose "Advanced Properties."
2. Click on the "Environment" tab — here you can find the information relevant to the selected Environmental Profile.
3. Click "Select" to choose the relevant Environmental Profile for your system application.
4. You can manage Environmental Profiles from the "Environment Library", found under the "Modeling" menu list.
5. (Additional configuration step shown via screenshot in the source article.)