Integrated Waveguide Network Device for Satellite Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing and integrating complex waveguide networks in satellite systems is challenging due to the high number of individual components, heuristic routing methods, and inflexibility, leading to inefficiencies and high costs, especially when changes in waveguide routing requirements occur.

Innovation Solution

A waveguide network device comprising multiple housings with integrated waveguide channels that can redirect signals from any input port to any desired output port, reducing the number of mechanical attachments and allowing for flexibility in routing configurations, thereby simplifying the design and integration of waveguide networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional waveguide routing methods are used with multiple individual components, then waveguide networks can be manufactured, but the device complexity and number of components increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaveguide network manufacturingVSAvoidnumber of individual components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual waveguide components into a single integrated waveguide network device. The device comprises a single housing containing multiple waveguide channels that are pre-routed and interconnected internally, eliminating the need for multiple separate waveguide components and mechanical attachments. This consolidation directly reduces device complexity while maintaining manufacturing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide network device provides universal routing capability where a single device can route signals from any input port to any output port through its internally configured waveguide channels. This multi-functional routing capability replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized waveguide components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If heuristic waveguide routing methods are used, then waveguide networks can be designed, but the adaptability to routing changes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting configuration flexibilityVSAvoidheuristic routing methods

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide network device incorporates dynamic routing capability through its internal waveguide channel configuration that can accommodate different routing requirements. The device allows signals to be routed from any input port to any output port through pre-configured internal channels, providing adaptability to routing changes without requiring complex heuristic design methods for each specific routing scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multiple mechanical attachments are used to assemble waveguide components, then waveguide networks can be constructed, but the integration time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaveguide network integration speedVSAvoidnumber of mechanical attachments

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple waveguide components that would traditionally require numerous mechanical attachments into a single integrated housing. The waveguide channels are internally connected within the housing, eliminating the need for multiple separate mechanical assembly steps. This single-component approach directly increases integration productivity while reducing the complexity of mechanical attachments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If complex waveguide networks are designed without modularization, then routing requirements can be met, but the ability to absorb late changes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption of late design changesVSAvoidoverall network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by creating a modular waveguide network device that can be designed and manufactured as a discrete unit. This single integrated device acts as a self-contained module that can absorb routing changes internally without affecting the overall satellite system architecture. The modular nature of the device enables late design changes to be accommodated within the device itself, reducing overall network complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11114737B2Simplification of complex waveguide networks

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An improved system for simplifying a complex waveguide network in a satellite system is described herein. A waveguide network device may be configured with at least two housing portions attached together. This enables the waveguide network device to receive an arbitrary number of waveguide routes and output the routes in any configuration, effectively simplifying the overall waveguide network architecture.