Virtual Assembly of Distributed Subsystems via Networked Integration Stands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex integrated systems, such as aerospace vehicles, face incompatibility issues during final assembly due to separate design and testing of geographically distributed subsystems, which existing test equipment fails to address across subsystem boundaries.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for virtual assembly and integration of geographically distributed subsystems using integration stands connected over a communications network, allowing for interoperability and testing without physical assembly, with simulation units to emulate missing subsystems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If subsystems are designed and tested separately at different geographic locations, then each subsystem can be developed independently by different suppliers, but incompatibility issues arise during final assembly and integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary integration testing by creating a virtual integrated system that combines multiple subsystems before physical assembly. This preliminary action allows interoperability issues to be detected and resolved in the virtual environment, preventing problems from carrying over to physical integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communications network as an intermediary that connects geographically distributed integration stands. This intermediary enables subsystems from different locations to interact and be tested together virtually, bridging the gap between independent development and integrated testing.
2Measurement precision
If existing test equipment is tailored to particular subsystems, then each subsystem can be tested according to its specific requirements, but interoperability and performance issues across subsystem boundaries are not exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal integrated testing environment that can accommodate multiple different subsystems simultaneously. The virtual integrated system combines various subsystems and allows them to be tested together for interoperability while maintaining the ability to perform subsystem-specific testing when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple subsystem-specific testing capabilities into a single integrated testing system. By combining subsystems into a virtual integrated system, the patent enables both individual subsystem testing and cross-subsystem interoperability testing within the same environment.
3Productivity
If simulations are used to emulate missing subsystem functionality, then testing can proceed with incomplete subsystems, but the simulations are limited in scope and cannot fully represent real subsystem behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simulations to perform preliminary testing actions before real subsystems are available. This allows the integration and testing process to begin early, with simulations serving as placeholders that can be progressively replaced or supplemented by actual subsystems as they become available.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for testing a subsystem of a plurality of subsystems capable of being assembled to form an integrated system may include an integration stand for testing the subsystem without actual physical assembly of the plurality of subsystems which form the integrated system. The integration stand may include an interface to connect the subsystem to the integration stand for testing. The integration stand may also include a network device for connecting the integration stand to a communications network for communications between the subsystem and any other subsystems of the plurality of subsystems available via the network. In this way, the subsystem and the other subsystems may be virtually assembled and integrated to virtually form the integrated system for interoperability of the subsystems and testing without actual physical assembly of the plurality of subsystems. The integration stand may also include a simulation unit to simulate any other subsystems forming the integrated system, which are unavailable via the communications network, to virtually form the integrated system for testing the subsystem connected to the interface of the integration stand.