Multi-level Networked Ordnance System Bus Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of pyrotechnic devices in aerospace vehicles and systems leads to issues such as increased weight, volume, complexity, and infrastructure requirements, which can be problematic due to weight and volume constraints, and existing networked ordnance systems face challenges with logical address space limitations and installation complexities.
Innovation Solution
A multi-level networked ordnance system is introduced, featuring multiple network buses and bus controllers, with a bus interface circuit that selectively transmits commands to appropriate bus controllers and devices, allowing for expanded logical address spaces and flexible cable arrangements, reducing dependencies and failure isolation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of pyrotechnic devices is increased to provide more functionality and flexibility, then the system capability is improved, but the weight and volume of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent network buses, each capable of supporting a limited number of devices (e.g., 31 devices per bus). This segmentation allows the overall system to support many more devices (e.g., 62+ devices across multiple buses) without proportionally increasing the infrastructure weight, as each bus operates independently with its own controller and address space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of pyrotechnic devices is increased to provide more functionality and flexibility, then the system capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented into multiple independent network buses with separate controllers, each managing a subset of devices. This segmentation reduces the complexity of addressing and controlling individual devices, as the bus interface circuit handles address translation and routing automatically. Each bus operates as an independent unit with its own logical address space, preventing address conflicts and simplifying system management.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus interface circuit serves as an intermediary between the command source and multiple bus controllers. It receives commands, determines the appropriate destination bus controller based on device addresses, and routes commands accordingly. This intermediary component abstracts the complexity of multi-bus management from the command source, automatically handling address translation and bus selection without requiring complex control logic at the command source.
3Device complexity
If a single network bus is used to connect all devices, then the infrastructure is simplified, but logical address space limitations are encountered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single network bus with a large address space requirement, the system segments devices across multiple buses, each with a manageable address space (e.g., 31 devices per bus). The bus interface circuit manages address translation, allowing the system to support more total devices (e.g., 62+ devices) while maintaining simple addressing schemes on each individual bus. This segmentation approach prevents logical address space limitations without requiring an overly complex single-bus infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A networked electronic ordnance system is provided. The system includes a first plurality of pyrotechnic devices connected to a first network bus. The system further includes a first bus controller connected to the first network bus. The system further includes a second plurality of pyrotechnic devices connected to a second network bus. The system further includes a second bus controller connected to the second network bus. The system further includes a bus interface circuit connected to the first bus controller by a first electrical connection and connected to the second bus controller by a second electrical connection.