Wireless Intra-Platform Communication System for Spacecraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spacecraft and similar platforms face challenges due to the weight and inflexibility of traditional wired communication systems, which increase costs and reduce payload capacity, and existing wireless solutions require line-of-sight and are not robust enough to adapt to changing communication needs.

Innovation Solution

A wireless intra-platform communication system using non-line-of-sight transceivers to communicate operational and test data between platform processors and subsystems, allowing for reduced weight, increased payload capacity, and adaptive communication configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wire harnesses and connectors are used for onboard spacecraft communications, then reliable data transmission between subsystems is achieved, but spacecraft mass increases and integration/testing flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidspacecraft mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire harness and connector system with a wireless communication system using electromagnetic waves. The transmitter converts electrical signals to electromagnetic waves that propagate through the spacecraft interior, and the receiver converts these waves back to electrical signals, eliminating the need for physical wiring while maintaining communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the communication medium from physical electrical conductors to electromagnetic waves, fundamentally altering how data is transmitted. This parameter change enables communication without mass-intensive wiring while maintaining signal transmission capability through the spacecraft interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional wire harness configurations are used for ground testing, then systematic testing procedures are established, but testing flexibility and schedule adaptability are severely limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting procedure systematicityVSAvoidtesting schedule flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical wire harness connections with wireless communication during ground testing. This allows test equipment to communicate with spacecraft subsystems without requiring physical connector access, enabling testing from multiple locations and configurations while maintaining systematic test procedures through software-controlled communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If spacecraft are designed with stowed configuration to fit launch vehicle shroud, then launch vehicle compatibility is achieved, but physical access to components for testing is extremely limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch vehicle compatibilityVSAvoidcomponent accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses wireless communication to eliminate the need for physical access to components for testing purposes. Test equipment can communicate with subsystems through electromagnetic waves without requiring connectors to be physically accessed, allowing comprehensive testing even when the spacecraft is in its stowed launch configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If bus onboard wire harnesses are cross-strapped and redundant, then reliability is increased, but mass fraction dedicated to support functions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebus system reliabilityVSAvoidsupport function mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical wire harness redundancy system with wireless communication redundancy. Instead of duplicating heavy wire harnesses, the system uses multiple wireless transceivers and signal routing paths that provide redundancy without the mass penalty of duplicate wiring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The wireless system reduces the weight and cost of platform construction and testing, enables flexible communication configurations, and allows for distributed payload support functions, improving adaptability and redundancy.

Implementation Method 1

a first wireless non-line-of-sight (NLOS) transceiver, coupled to a platform processor and a second wireless NLOS transceiver, coupled to at least one of the subsystems. Platform operational data is communicated between the platform processor and the at least one subsystem via the first and second wireless NLOS transceivers.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS7869766B2Wireless operational and testing communications network for diverse platform types

Publication Date: 2011.01.11 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An intra-platform wireless communications system is disclosed. The wireless intra-platform communication system comprises a first wireless transceiver, coupled to a platform processor and a second wireless transceiver, coupled to at least one of the subsystems. Platform operational data is communicated between the platform processor and the at least one subsystem via the first and second wireless transceivers.