A Standard for the Exchange of Thermal Analysis Data (STEP-TAS)

The STEP-TAS protocol for the exchange of thermal analysis data has been in active use in industry for over ten years. It has been used to successfully exchange geometrical mathematical models for many projects, first via the European Space Agency’s (ESA) TASverter initiative, and latterly through dedicated STEP-TAS interfaces in the thermal analysis tools. Whilst STEP-TAS is best known for exchange of geometrical models, the protocol supports much more, with modules for thermal network models (including user generated logic), results (analysis, test and flight), and space mission aspects.

The technology behind STEP-TAS is based on the international Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data, ISO 10303 and comprises a formal protocol written in EXPRESS and a number of support libraries, currently providing application programming interfaces in Python and C++. With the underlying technology being based on ISO 10303, the natural choice to formalise the standard was under ISO. However, a number of year ago it was decided that considering the modest number of users, the ISO process would be too restrictive. It was therefore decided to standardise the protocol with the European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS). This process has been undertaken over the last year.

The target audience for this paper will be both software tools developers, and thermal analysts. The paper gives an introduction to the STEP-TAS protocol, as well as a summary of the current status with respect to: implementation in analysis tools, availability and distribution of software toolkits and resources for end users.

Looking forward, the paper will also look at the future perspectives for STEP-TAS focussing on ideas for “future-proofing” the standard, so that it remains fit for purpose for many years to come.