Nanosatellite Platform With Redundant Circuits and Expandable Solar Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nanosatellite systems lack a unified, intelligent, secure, and stable platform that can provide efficient communication and control between the satellite and ground stations while ensuring high redundancy and self-recovery from radiation damage.

Innovation Solution

A unified platform for nanosatellite systems comprising communication buses, power supply module, on-board computer, and attitude determination and control module, equipped with redundant circuits and expandable solar panels, enabling high redundancy and self-recovery from radiation damage through redundant microcontroller memory restoration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nanosatellite systems use outdated systems without update capability, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates as systems cannot be updated or recovered from radiation damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidplatform complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is divided into modular functional units (power supply module, communication module, attitude determination and control module, on-board computer) that can be independently updated and maintained. Each module can be individually replaced or updated without affecting the entire system, enabling reliability improvements while managing complexity through standardized interfaces and communication buses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates redundant circuits and memory restoration capabilities in advance, allowing the microcontroller to automatically recover from radiation-induced memory errors without ground intervention. The redundant circuit is pre-configured to detect and correct memory errors, and the system includes pre-loaded backup data that can be restored when radiation damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If nanosatellites lack unified communication structure, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates as systems cannot operate with resource loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication buses are designed with universal interfaces that can handle multiple communication protocols and data types. The same communication infrastructure supports telemetry, telecommand, payload data, and housekeeping functions, allowing the system to maintain operational reliability through a unified, multi-functional communication structure that can adapt to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If nanosatellites use non-expandable power supply, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates as solar panels cannot be expanded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform adaptabilityVSAvoidpower supply complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is designed with dynamic expandability, allowing solar panels to be added or reconfigured based on mission requirements. The power supply module includes adjustable voltage regulation and distribution systems that can accommodate varying power inputs from different solar panel configurations, enabling the platform to adapt to different orbital conditions and mission durations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 platform ensures high redundancy and stability, allowing operation with up to 70% resource loss and self-recovery from radiation damage, providing secure and intelligent communication with ground stations.

Implementation Method 1

expandable solar panels, which are unidirectionally connected to the power supply module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4233199B1Unified platform for nanosatellite systems
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 ENDUROSAT
  • EP4233199B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

This invention relates to unified platform for nanosatellite systems which will find application in the field of space technology and satellite communications. The created platform consists of communication buses (7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4), to which a power supply module (2), an on-board computer (3) and a communication module (5) including a UHF transceiver (5.1) are bidirectionally connected. The platform also includes deployable solar panels (1.1... 1.4), which are connected to the power supply module (2) and to the attitude determination and control module (4), which is connected in both directions to the communication buses (7.1) and (7.2). The on-board computer (3) is also connected to additional interfaces (9.1) and (9.2). The communication module (5) is bidirectionally connected to an antenna unit (6), including a UHF antenna (6.1), which is connected to the additional interface (9.2). The platform has the possibility to include payloads (8.1... 8.n), bidirectionally connected with the communication buses (7.3) and (7.4), as well as with the additional interfaces (9.1) and (9.2).