Device for enabling verification of the signal quality of a SpaceWire connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (20) for enabling verification of the signal quality of a Space Wire connection, wherein the device (20) comprises a first 9-pin MicroD PCB connector (10) and a second 9-pin MicroD PCB connector (12), wherein the first 9-pin MicroD PCB connector (10) has a contact pin side with pins (1-9) and a second side with PCB contacts, wherein the second 9-pin MicroD PCB connector (12) has a MicroD socket side and a second side with PCB contacts, wherein at least one common PCB (14) is arranged between the two 9-pin MicroD PCB connectors (10, 12), wherein the two MicroD PCB connectors (10, 12) are each connected to the PCB (14) via their PCB contacts, and wherein the two MicroD PCB connectors (10, 12) are connected to each other via conductor tracks (15) on the circuit board (14),wherein the conductor tracks (15) are connected to contact points (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for enabling verification of the signal quality of a SpaceWire connection.

[0002] SpaceWire is a fieldbus network for spacecraft. The SpaceWire cables used have connectors at both ends. The pin assignment changes from one end of the connector to the other. These connectors are designed as 9-pin micro-D connectors.

[0003] The pinout of a SpaceWire cable is as follows: Pin 1 D in+ Pin 6 D in- Pin 2 S in+ Pin 7 S n- Pin 8 S out+ Pin 4 S out- Pin 9 D out+ Pin 5 D out-

[0004] Pin 3 is either unused or serves as a local ground reference. In the latter case, pin 3 is connected on one side and pin 3 on the other. Here, D stands for data and S for strobe.

[0005] What is on one end of the SpaceWire cable, for example, D in+ is, is on the opposite side of the SpaceWire cable D out+ In other words, one wire of the SpaceWire cable is connected to pin 1 on one end and to pin 9 on the other, and vice versa. The same applies to pins 5 and 6, 2 and 8, and 7 and 4.

[0006] A SpaceWire cable then connects two space components, each of which has a 9-pin MicroD connector with a socket end into which a plug of the SpaceWire cable can be inserted.

[0007] Especially before deployment in space, the spacecraft components and the SpaceWire cable or connection must be tested. However, even during deployment in space, it may be necessary to test the signal quality of a SpaceWire connection. One problem here is that the spacecraft components are extremely close to the package, leaving hardly any room for additional measuring equipment.

[0008] From DE 20 2015 103 681 U1, a connector housing is known which is composed of a lower shell and an associated upper shell and defines a space for receiving a connector insert with an opposing cable entry opening. Both the lower and upper shells of the housing are milled from solid light metal parts and have a trapezoidal plan section, with the shorter trapezoidal side accommodating the cable entry opening. The connector insert can be a Sub-D or Micro-D connector, for example, with 9, 15, or 25 pins. One area of ​​application is aerospace engineering.

[0009] Another Sub-D connector is known from US 2009 / 0 004 896 A1.

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the technical problem of creating a device to enable verification of the signal quality of a SpaceWire connection.

[0011] The solution to the technical problem is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0012] The device for verifying the signal quality of a SpaceWire connection comprises a first 9-pin MicroD PCB connector and a second 9-pin MicroD PCB connector. The first 9-pin MicroD PCB connector has a contact pin side and a second side with PCB contacts. The contact pin side is configured analogously to a SpaceWire cable plug. The second 9-pin MicroD PCB connector has a MicroD socket side and a second side with PCB contacts. At least one common circuit board is arranged between the two 9-pin MicroD PCB connectors, with each MicroD PCB connector being connected to the circuit board via its PCB contacts. The two MicroD PCB connectors are interconnected via traces on the circuit board.The conductor tracks are connected to contact points located on the circuit board. This allows a measuring device to tap the signals at the contact points and verify the signal quality. The device can also be called a measurement adapter or breakout box, which is connected between the aerospace component and the SpaceWire cable. The first 9-pin MicroD PCB connector is plugged into the aerospace component, and the SpaceWire cable is plugged into the MicroD socket of the second 9-pin MicroD PCB connector.

[0013] In one embodiment, the contact points are arranged on the side of the circuit board opposite the conductor tracks.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, the conductor tracks are arranged on a top and a bottom surface, with at least individual conductor tracks running on both the top and bottom surfaces, the change between top and bottom surfaces being effected by vias, but with all contact points being arranged on one side (top or bottom surface).

[0015] In another embodiment, the contact points are designed as pins or measuring spheres.

[0016] In another embodiment, pin 3 of the two 9-pin MicroD PCB connectors has no conductor track or contact point.

[0017] In another embodiment, the housings of the 9-pin MicroD PCB connectors are connected to each other via at least one conductor track on the circuit board.

[0018] In another embodiment, the circuit board contacts of the 9-pin MicroD circuit board connectors are arranged in two rows, with the circuit board positioned between the rows.

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments. The figures show: Fig. 1 a pin assignment of a 9-pin MicroD PCB connector on one contact pin side, Fig. 2 a pin assignment of a 9-pin MicroD PCB connector on one socket side, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a printed circuit board between two 9-pin MicroD PCB connectors, Fig. 4 A schematic side view of a printed circuit board with pins, Fig. 5 a perspective view of a device for enabling verification of the signal quality of a SpaceWire connection and Fig. 6 a top view of the device,

[0020] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows the pin assignment of a 9-pin MicroD PCB connector 10 with one contact pin side. The PCB contacts are arranged on the non-visible reverse side. The 9-pin MicroD PCB connector 10 has a housing 11. In the Fig. Figure 2 shows a front view of a 9-pin MicroD PCB connector 12 with a socket side, while the PCB contacts are arranged on the back. The 9-pin MicroD PCB connector 12 also has a housing 13. If the two 9-pin MicroD PCB connectors 10 and 12 are now arranged on opposite end faces of a PCB 14, the pins 1-9 of the two MicroD PCB connectors 10 and 12 are aligned in the correct order, as shown schematically in Fig. Figure 3 shows the pins 1-9 of the microD PCB connectors 10 and 12, which can then be connected to each other via conductor tracks 15. Pin 3 can also be left unconnected. The conductor tracks 15 of pins 1, 2, and 4-9 have contact points 16, similar to contact pads, to allow the signals on the conductor tracks 15 to be tapped using measuring instruments. If this arrangement is then plugged between a Space Wire cable and a Space Wire component, the Space Wire connection can be measured or the signal quality of the Space Wire connection can be verified via the contact points 16. Not all conductor tracks and contact points are labeled. The microD PCB connector 12 is connected to the Space Wire cable. Furthermore, conductor tracks 17 are provided to electrically connect the two housings 11 and 13.

[0021] The two circuit board connectors 10, 12 and the circuit board 14 with its conductor tracks 15 and contact points 16 then constitute a device 20 for enabling verification of the signal quality of a Space Wire connection (sa Fig. 5).

[0022] In the Fig. Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the contact points 16 are configured as pins 18. The pins 18 can extend from the surface side on which the conductor tracks 15 are arranged, or from the opposite side. It is shown that the pins 18 are arranged in pairs, preferably with matching D and S pins grouped together (e.g., pins 1 and 2).

[0023] In the Fig.Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a device 20, wherein the contact points 16 are designed as measuring spheres 22 arranged on one side of the circuit board 14. The housings 11, 13 have flanges 23 and threaded holes 25. The other circles on the circuit board 14 without reference numerals are vias. Reference symbol list 1-9 pins 10 MicroD PCB connectors 11 cases 12 MicroD PCB connectors 13 cases 14 circuit board 15 conductor track 16 Contact point 17 conductor track 18-pin 20 Device 22 measuring spheres 23 flange 25 threaded holes

Claims

[1] Device (20) for enabling verification of the signal quality of a Space Wire connection, wherein the device (20) comprises a first 9-pin MicroD PCB connector (10) and a second 9-pin MicroD PCB connector (12), wherein the first 9-pin MicroD PCB connector (10) has a contact pin side with pins (1-9) and a second side with PCB contacts, wherein the second 9-pin MicroD PCB connector (12) has a MicroD socket side and a second side with PCB contacts, wherein at least one common PCB (14) is arranged between the two 9-pin MicroD PCB connectors (10, 12), wherein the two MicroD PCB connectors (10, 12) are each connected to the PCB (14) via their PCB contacts, wherein the two MicroD PCB connectors (10, 12) are connected to each other via conductor tracks (15) on the circuit board (14),wherein the conductor tracks (15) are connected to contact points (16). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the contact points (16) are arranged on the side of the circuit board (14) opposite the conductor tracks (15). [3] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the conductor tracks (16) are arranged on a top and a bottom of the circuit board (14), wherein the contact points (16) are arranged on the top or the bottom. [4] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the contact points (16) are designed as pins (18) or measuring spheres (22). [5] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that one pin 3 of the two 9-pin microD circuit board connectors (10, 12) has no conductor track (15) or no contact point (16). [6] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the housings (11, 13) of the 9-pin microD printed circuit board connectors (10, 12) are connected to each other via at least one conductor track (17) on the printed circuit board (14). [7] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the circuit board contacts of the 9-pin MicroD circuit board connectors (10, 12) are arranged in two rows, with the circuit board (14) being arranged between the rows.

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