Adaptive Reconfigurable Cells for Satellite Modular Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite design approaches require significant rework and customization for different missions, leading to increased engineering efforts, re-manufacturing, and re-testing due to the need for unique subsystems and payload-specific configurations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adaptive and reconfigurable cell (ARC) units, which are standardized, modular, and interconnected, providing uniform geometric configurations that can be rearranged and optimized for various missions, with embedded thermal paths, power lines, data wiring, and programmable control systems, allowing for flexible and adaptable satellite construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standardized modular ARC units are used, then adaptability and reconfigurability improve, but initial system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite system is divided into standardized modular ARC (Adaptive and Reconfigurable) units that can be independently configured and assembled. Each ARC unit contains integrated subsystems (power, thermal, structural) that can be reconfigured for different missions, allowing the system to adapt without redesigning the entire satellite.
Solution Approach 2:
The ARC units are designed as universal building blocks that can serve multiple functions across different satellite missions. The same standardized ARC unit can be configured for various payloads and mission requirements through reconfigurable interconnections and programmable control, eliminating the need for mission-specific custom designs.
2Reliability
If custom-tailored satellite designs are used for each mission, then mission-specific optimization improves, but engineering effort and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ARC units are pre-configured with standardized interfaces, embedded thermal paths, power lines, and data wiring during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows rapid assembly and reconfiguration for different missions without requiring extensive custom engineering work for each satellite, thereby maintaining mission optimization while improving productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized modular units are implemented, then manufacturing cost and time reduce, but design flexibility may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ARC units incorporate programmable control systems and reconfigurable interconnections that allow the physical structure to be dynamically adapted for different missions. The standardized modules maintain ease of manufacture while their internal configurations and connection topologies can be programmatically adjusted to provide unlimited design flexibility for various satellite missions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method by which specialized components (tenants) are mounted to an assembly comprising a plurality of modular units. Each modular unit has one or more interface connecting locations for one or more of a power connection, a thermal connection and data base connection, along with one or more of power, thermal and data transmission paths. Modular units can be united in an assembly, and at least some of the modular units have a switching system to selectively transmit and/or receive one or more of power, thermal and data transmissions.