Optical Wireless Sensor Network for Satellite Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current temperature sensors on satellites require power and communication lines, increasing satellite weight and necessitating their removal before launch, which is a complex and costly process. Additionally, existing wireless sensor systems produce detectable radio frequency signatures, posing security concerns in certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A wireless optical sensor network using photodetectors and transmitters that emit and harvest optical energy, eliminating the need for RF communication and allowing sensors to be powered and communicate wirelessly without generating a detectable RF signature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature sensors are attached to satellites during ground testing with power and communication lines, then the sensors can monitor temperature, but the weight of the power and communication lines and associated components significantly increases the overall weight of the satellite

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsatellite weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the power lines and communication lines from the sensor system, retaining only the essential temperature sensing functionality. The sensor is powered and communicates wirelessly, eliminating the heavy physical connections that would otherwise be required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connections (power lines and communication cables) with wireless energy transfer and optical communication systems. This substitution eliminates the need for physical infrastructure while maintaining sensor functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Weight of moving object

If temperature sensors are removed prior to launch to reduce weight, then the satellite weight is reduced, but the removal process is delicate and tedious requiring hundreds of man-hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite weightVSAvoidsensor removal time

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by designing the sensor system from the outset to be wireless, eliminating the need for later removal. The sensors are configured with integrated wireless power reception and communication capabilities, so they can be installed and remain on the satellite throughout the entire process without requiring delicate removal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If RF transmitters are used for wireless communication in sensor systems, then wireless communication is achieved, but RF leakage may be detected by adversaries in defense applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidRF leakage detection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes radio frequency electromagnetic waves with optical frequency electromagnetic waves for communication. Optical communication uses light carriers instead of RF carriers, providing the same wireless communication functionality while eliminating the detectable RF signature that poses security risks in defense applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the electromagnetic wave frequency from radio frequency to optical frequency. This parameter change maintains the wireless communication capability while transforming the nature of the signal to be undetectable by RF sensing equipment, thereby eliminating the security vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables weight reduction and simplifies satellite preparation by eliminating the need for power and communication lines, while ensuring secure communication through the use of optical energy, reducing the risk of RF leakage detection.

Implementation Method 1

a photodetector configured to harvest incoming optical energy and convert the incoming optical energy into electrical energy useful by the transmitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

a transmitter configured to emit outgoing optical energy, the outgoing optical energy being indicative of the property

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 3

the photodetector of the receiver is positioned to receive the outgoing optical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8044812B2Optical wireless sensor network

Publication Date: 2011.10.25 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A wireless sensor network including a receiver including a photodetector, and a sensor node that includes a sensor configured to sense a property, a transmitter configured to emit outgoing optical energy, the outgoing optical energy being indicative of the property, and a photodetector configured to harvest incoming optical energy and convert the incoming optical energy into electrical energy useful by the transmitter, wherein the photodetector of the receiver is positioned to receive the outgoing optical energy.