Autonomous Satellite Design Configurator Using Digital Twins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack the capability to autonomously create repeatable satellite designs from a common set of components based on user input or generative inputs, without ensuring the configuration's success for the intended mission.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize an input device for user input related to payload and mission requirements, a satellite system design configurator, a validation subsystem, a dependent requirements generator, and a cost and completion estimator, all processed by at least one processor to ensure a repeatable and optimized satellite design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration and testing processes are used for each satellite, then design flexibility and customization are improved, but manufacturing time and inconsistency between satellites increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital twins (virtual copies) of satellite systems to perform configuration validation and testing in the digital domain before physical manufacturing. This allows multiple design iterations and customizations to be tested rapidly without repeating physical build cycles, resolving the contradiction between design flexibility and manufacturing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs configuration validation, dependency analysis, and testing in advance using digital twins before actual satellite assembly. By completing these validation actions preliminarily in the digital domain, the patent eliminates rework and delays during physical manufacturing, improving productivity while maintaining adaptability.
2Device complexity
If manual configuration processes are used, then handling of complex dependencies between subsystems is improved through human expertise, but configuration errors and validation overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback loops where the configuration system continuously validates subsystem interactions, checks for conflicts, and provides real-time feedback on configuration accuracy. This automated feedback mechanism detects and corrects configuration errors systematically, improving reliability while handling complex dependencies that would be prone to human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual human expertise with automated computational systems and algorithms for analyzing complex subsystem dependencies. This substitution eliminates human errors in configuration while systematically handling the complexity through programmed validation rules and dependency graphs.
3Reliability
If traditional testing approaches are used for satellite configuration, then comprehensive validation is improved, but cost and time for iterations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital twin copies of the satellite system that replicate all physical characteristics and behaviors. These digital copies enable comprehensive validation testing to be performed repeatedly and rapidly in the virtual domain without the time and cost penalties of physical re-building and re-testing, thus maintaining validation comprehensiveness while reducing iteration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs comprehensive configuration validation and testing in advance using digital twins before physical satellite assembly. By completing all necessary validation actions preliminarily in the digital domain, the patent identifies and corrects issues before they reach physical prototypes, dramatically reducing costly and time-consuming physical iteration cycles.
4Adaptability or versatility
If custom configurations are developed for each satellite mission, then mission-specific optimization is improved, but manufacturing consistency and repeatability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital twins to capture and replicate proven successful configurations across multiple satellite projects. These digital copies serve as reusable templates that maintain manufacturing consistency while allowing systematic adaptation to different mission requirements through parameter customization, resolving the contradiction between mission-specific optimization and manufacturing repeatability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for creating a satellite design includes a satellite system design configurator, a satellite system validation subsystem, a dependent requirements generator subsystem, and a cost and completion estimator subsystem, wherein each subsystem comprises at least one processor. The subsystems operate in concert to enable the configurator to provide a repeatable satellite design based on one or more user inputs and one or more generative inputs. At least a portion of the inputs are received via at least one input device included with the system. The system further includes a viewing device to allow a user to view the results from the configurator. A method for creating the satellite design includes generating satellite dependent requirements based on received or predetermined parameters, creating the satellite design with the satellite system design configurator based on the generated satellite dependent requirements, and validating the satellite design.