Surface-Mountable Microwave Switching Matrix with Bias T Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of microwave switching devices with centralized redundancy in satellite payloads, particularly due to expensive coaxial switches, pose challenges in reducing costs and improving reliability.
Innovation Solution
A microwave switching device with a surface-mountable bistable electromechanical switch matrix, incorporating a bias T configuration for telemetry and control, allowing for cost-effective implementation and integration by using surface-mountable components and minimizing the need for expensive coaxial switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coaxial switches with high reliability are used in microwave switching devices, then the reliability of satellite payload redundancy is improved, but the cost and mass of the device increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional coaxial mechanical switches with surface-mountable electromechanical switches that use membrane technology and printed circuit board mounting. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy coaxial connectors and mechanical assemblies, achieving significant mass reduction while maintaining switching functionality and reliability through electrical contact mechanisms on flexible substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible printed circuit boards and membrane structures as the substrate for the switching device. These thin, flexible films replace rigid coaxial assemblies, enabling weight reduction while providing the necessary electrical pathways and switching contacts. The flexible nature of these films allows for compact integration into satellite payloads without compromising reliability.
2Reliability
If coaxial switches are used in microwave switching devices, then reliable switching is achieved, but the cost of the device and integration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive coaxial mechanical switches with surface-mountable electromechanical switches mounted on flexible printed circuit boards. This substitution enables standard surface-mount technology manufacturing processes to be used, significantly reducing production costs and simplifying integration into satellite payloads while maintaining reliable switching through electrical contacts on the flexible substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the substrate for mounting switches, creates electrical connections between components, enables flexible routing of signals, and allows for compact integration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate coaxial cables and connectors, reducing both cost and complexity of integration.
3Weight of stationary object
If surface-mountable components are used instead of coaxial switches, then cost and mass are reduced, but telemetry capability to determine switch state is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms by integrating telemetry circuits directly into the flexible printed circuit board. These circuits monitor the electrical state of the switches and provide real-time feedback about switch position and operational status to satellite control systems, enabling remote detection and measurement of switch states without adding significant mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the switching functionality with the telemetry monitoring functionality into a single integrated flexible printed circuit board assembly. The same flexible substrate that carries the switching contacts also carries the telemetry sensing circuits and connection pathways, eliminating the need for separate monitoring equipment and reducing overall system mass while enabling comprehensive state detection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces the overall cost and complexity of satellite payload redundancy by enabling the use of surface-mountable components, providing reliable switching with reduced mass and improved telemetry capabilities, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of satellite microwave equipment.
Implementation Method 1
superimpose a DC (direct current) signal on the input microwave signal and thus know by simple measurement of the output DC voltage, the state of each microwave switch
Implementation Method 2
a switching matrix with M inputs and N outputs comprising at least one microwave switch with surface-mountable ohmic contacts... which are bistable electromechanical
Data Source
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AI summary
A microwave switching device comprising: - a switching matrix (COM) with M inputs (E1, E2, ...EM) and N outputs (S1, S2, ...SN) including at least one surface-mountable microwave switch (CT) with ohmic contacts at at least one input and at least one output position; - a control bus (BC) for the microwave switch(s) (CT) of the switching matrix (COM); - a telemetry bus (BE) for the M inputs (E1, E2, ...EM); - a telemetry bus (BS) for the N outputs (S1, S2, ...SN); - a biasing T-connector (T1, T2, ... TM) disposed on each input (E1, E2, ... EM) of the switching matrix (COM); and - a biasing T-connector (T'1, T'2, ... T'S) disposed on each output of the switching matrix.