Satellite Platform Virtual Bus Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In satellite clusters, the need for a host on each satellite for basic functions and missions increases satellite size, manufacturing costs, power consumption, and heat discharge requirements, making size and cost reduction difficult.
Innovation Solution
A satellite platform configuration where one or more satellites with host-side bridges and hosts are connected via a network, and others with I/O-side bridges and I/O devices are also connected, allowing a management device to select and form a virtual computer internal bus, eliminating the need for a host on I/O-focused satellites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a host is mounted on each satellite in a satellite cluster to enable mission conduct, then the satellite can perform basic functions and missions, but the satellite size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the satellite system into two distinct types: host-equipped satellites that provide computing resources and host-less satellites that provide I/O resources. This segmentation allows I/O-focused satellites to eliminate hosts and reduce size while still contributing to mission capabilities through the virtual computer internal bus that connects distributed resources across the satellite cluster.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal platform where satellites can serve multiple functions through the virtual computer internal bus architecture. I/O devices on host-less satellites can be accessed by hosts on other satellites, enabling resources to be shared and reused across different missions and satellite configurations, thereby reducing the need for redundant hosts on each satellite.
2Reliability
If a host is mounted on each satellite in a satellite cluster, then the satellite can conduct missions independently, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the computing resources of host-equipped satellites with the I/O resources of host-less satellites through the virtual computer internal bus, creating a consolidated system that reduces total manufacturing costs. By combining resources across multiple satellites rather than requiring each satellite to have complete independent capabilities, the system achieves cost efficiency while maintaining mission conduct capability.
3Reliability
If a host is mounted on each satellite in a satellite cluster, then the satellite can perform missions, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments power consumption responsibilities by assigning active computing functions only to host-equipped satellites while I/O-focused satellites operate without hosts. This segmentation significantly reduces total power consumption in the satellite cluster, as hosts are among the most power-consuming components, while still enabling mission execution through coordinated resource sharing via the virtual computer internal bus.
4Reliability
If a host is mounted on each satellite in a satellite cluster, then the satellite can conduct missions, but the heat discharge performance requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges heat generation sources by concentrating host operations on fewer satellites rather than distributing them across all satellites. This consolidation reduces the total heat discharge burden across the satellite cluster, as thermal management becomes a centralized challenge rather than a distributed one, making it easier to design effective heat dissipation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A first satellite includes a first host-side bridge and a first host, connected with a network via the first host-side bridge, mounted thereon. A second satellite includes a first I/O-side bridge and a first I/O device, connected with the network via the first I/O-side bridge, mounted thereon. A management device selects the first host mounted on at least one of the first satellites and the first I/O device mounted on at least one of the second satellites, according to a configuration request, and forms an information processing device in which the first host-side bridge connected with the selected first host and the first I/O-side bridge connected with the selected first I/O device constitute a virtual computer internal bus.