Reconfigurable FPGA Motor Controllers for Spacecraft Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Critical systems in spacecraft are difficult to access and maintain due to their embedded nature, making it challenging to quickly replace failed components, especially in high radiation environments where access is limited.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable field programmable gate array (FPGA) system with a communication channel port that can connect to various systems, determine control modes based on input configurations, and operate internal systems, allowing for quick interchange of components between critical and non-critical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If system components are deeply embedded within vehicle assemblies to save space, then space utilization is improved, but accessibility for maintenance and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular functional units (motor controllers) that can be independently accessed and replaced. Each controller is segmented as a discrete replaceable module rather than being permanently integrated into the assembly, allowing maintenance personnel to access and swap controllers without disassembling the entire vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A single motor controller design serves multiple systems (both critical and non-critical systems) within the vehicle. The controller is universally applicable across different assemblies and locations, allowing any controller to replace any failed controller regardless of which system it came from, thereby simplifying maintenance inventory and procedures.
2Reliability
If specialized hardened motors are used to survive high radiation environments, then reliability in radiation environments is improved, but interchangeability with non-critical system components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motor controller is designed as a universal platform that can operate in both critical radiation-hardened environments and non-critical environments. The same hardware design serves both purposes, with the understanding that controllers from non-critical systems can be swapped into critical systems when failures occur, maintaining operational continuity without requiring specialized inventory for each system type.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller's operational parameters and configuration can be adjusted or reprogrammed to suit different system requirements. This allows a single controller design to adapt to varying environmental conditions and system specifications, enabling interchangeability between controllers from different system contexts while maintaining reliable operation in radiation-hardened applications.
3Reliability
If critical system components are deeply embedded and specialized, then system performance and reliability are improved, but quick replacement during failures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motor controller is segmented as a self-contained modular unit with all necessary components integrated within a single replaceable package. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to quickly remove a failed controller and install a replacement without needing to access or replace individual internal components, dramatically reducing repair time while maintaining the high reliability needed for critical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The same modular controller design is used across both critical and non-critical systems, creating a universal replacement strategy. When a critical system controller fails, a replacement can be sourced from non-critical system inventory, eliminating the need for specialized critical-system-only spare parts and enabling rapid replacement operations.
4Reliability
If multiple specialized controllers are used for different systems, then system-specific optimization is improved, but device complexity and training requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A single motor controller design serves multiple system types and applications within the vehicle. This universal controller platform maintains system-specific optimization capabilities through software configuration or parameter adjustment while eliminating the need for multiple hardware variants, thereby reducing overall device complexity and the training required for maintenance personnel to handle different controller types.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for operating internal systems of a vehicle are provided. Aspects include providing a field programmable gate array (FPGA), the FPGA including a communication channel port, wherein the communication channel port is operable to connect to one or more systems through a communication channel, and wherein the FPGA is configured to operate in one or more control modes, receiving a communication channel input to the communication channel port of the FPGA, based at least in part on the communication channel input, determining a control mode from the one or more control modes, and operating the FPGA in the control mode, wherein the control mode is associated with one system of the one or more systems.