Radio Tray Assembly Cooling and Power Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Updating radio systems, such as from MIDS-LVT to MIDS-JTRS, is costly and complex due to the lack of a compatible ground variant for MIDS-JTRS, requiring replacement of entire systems and familiarization with new interfaces, which is undesirable and difficult.
Innovation Solution
A radio tray assembly that includes a tray with mounting portions for radios and power supplies, a cooling module, and a power converter and controller module, allowing for side-by-side mounting of radios and power supplies with parallel orientations, and providing forced air cooling and power conversion compatible with legacy systems like MIDS-LVT, enabling easy integration of MIDS-JTRS without complete system updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy radio systems are replaced with new radio systems, then new communications technology and updated components are incorporated, but replacement costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tray assembly is designed to universally accommodate both legacy radios (MIDS-LVT) and new radios (MIDS-JTRS) through standardized mounting portions. The same physical tray structure supports multiple radio types, allowing platforms to upgrade communications technology without requiring different hardware infrastructure for each radio generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radio system is segmented into independent replaceable components: the radio unit itself, the power supply, and the tray assembly. This segmentation allows the radio and power supply to be replaced as separate modules while maintaining compatibility with the existing tray, reducing overall system complexity during upgrades.
2Adaptability or versatility
If entire radio systems are replaced, then new communications capabilities are achieved, but cost and user training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal tray assembly serves as a cost-effective platform that remains unchanged while radio units are upgraded. This eliminates the need to manufacture entirely new system assemblies for each radio generation, reducing replacement costs while still achieving new communications capabilities through radio unit substitution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radios and power supplies are mounted separately, then flexible positioning is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radio mounting portion and power supply mounting portion are merged into a single integrated tray assembly with standardized interfaces. This combination simplifies installation by treating the radio and power supply as coordinated modules within one standardized mounting structure, reducing overall mounting complexity while maintaining positioning flexibility.
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
Facilitates the adoption of new radio systems like MIDS-JTRS in existing platforms by maintaining compatibility with legacy systems, reducing costs and user training needs, and improving communication capabilities while maintaining familiar interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling module secured to the tray behind the radio mounting portion and the radio power supply mounting portion, the cooling module including a fan configured to direct air through the radio mounting portion and through the radio power supply mounting portion
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are radio tray assemblies that include space for a specific radio and its power supply and that additionally provide cooling and power conversion and control functionalities. The disclosed radio tray assemblies are designed to have a form factor compatible with legacy radio systems (e.g., MIDS-LVT) while enabling installation of a new radio system (e.g., MIDS-JTRS). The disclosed radio tray assemblies are configured so that the radio and its power supply are secured to a tray so that the radio and power supply are side-by-side and parallel lengthwise. A cooling module or assembly of the disclosed radio tray assemblies is disposed immediately behind the radio and its power supply and is configured to cool these units using forced air cooling directed lengthwise through the radio and its power supply. A power converter and controller module converts input power into the power required by the radio power supply.