Modular Avionics System Using Standardized Card Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current avionics systems are often mission-specific and require recurring design and qualification costs, lacking a standard set of off-the-shelf avionics functions that can be easily assembled and configured to meet diverse mission needs.

Innovation Solution

A modular avionics system comprising a set of off-the-shelf card assemblies with standard dimensions, allowing for selection and configuration of different functions to form modules that can be distributed within a spacecraft to meet various requirements such as power, weight, volume, and thermal needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mission-specific avionics systems are designed for each particular mission, then the system can be optimized for specific mission requirements, but recurring design and qualification costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission-specific optimizationVSAvoidrecurring design and qualification costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The avionics system is divided into discrete, standardized card assemblies that can be independently designed, tested, and qualified. Each card assembly represents a functional module that can be reused across multiple missions, eliminating the need for complete system redesign while maintaining mission-specific customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal set of standardized card assemblies is created that can be configured to meet different mission requirements. The same standardized cards can serve multiple missions by being assembled in different configurations, reducing recurring design and qualification costs while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If standardized off-the-shelf avionics functions are assembled for multiple missions, then recurring design and qualification costs are reduced, but the ability to meet specific mission requirements may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecurring design and qualification costsVSAvoidmission requirement fulfillment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The avionics system employs dynamic reconfigurability through selectable card assemblies and reconfigurable interconnections. Standardized cards can be dynamically assembled into different configurations to meet specific mission requirements, maintaining both cost efficiency and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

While maintaining standardized universal card assemblies, the system allows for local customization in terms of which specific cards are selected and how they are interconnected for each mission. This enables mission-specific optimization at the system configuration level without sacrificing the benefits of standardized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If card assemblies with varying depths are used to accommodate different component dimensions, then component flexibility is improved, but module assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent dimension flexibilityVSAvoidmodule assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The depth variation requirement is extracted from the card assembly itself and handled by removable depth extensions or spacers that can be added or removed based on component needs. This separates the base standardized card dimension from the variable component accommodation requirement, simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 modular avionics system reduces design and qualification costs by enabling the assembly of customized avionics configurations from standard components, improving flexibility and adaptability to different mission requirements.

Implementation Method 1

The chassis may include a heatsink configured to conduct heat from the card assembly through a base of the chassis.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12326829B1Modular unified avionics system

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR NAT AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

AI summary

An avionics system includes a plurality of card assemblies having a standard height and width, and a depth dependent on dimensions of components mounted on individual ones of the plurality of card assemblies, and a subset of the plurality of card assemblies selected according to their functionality and assembled together along their depth dimensions to form one or more modules having the standard height and width, wherein the one or more modules are distributable among available volumes within a spacecraft.