Compact Wireless EVA Communications System (CWECS)

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) systems are critical to every foreseeable human exploration mission for in-space microgravity EVA and for planetary surface exploration. Innoflight proposes developing a Compact Wireless EVA Communications System (CWECS) as a replacement and advancement of the Space-to-Space EVA Mobility Unit (EMU) Radio (SSER). The CWECS goals are to: (a) provide backward-compatibility with the existing SSCS network and SSER; (b) provide enhanced communication between the EMU and space vehicle (or ISS or future space habitat) via 802.11n, including high-speed telemetry from the EMU to the spacecraft; and (c) provide personal area network (PAN) coverage for wireless biomed devices and sensors within the EMU. The Phase I will leverage Innoflight's DeSCReeT IF-SDR, which uses cutting edge radiation-tolerant components as the foundation of a software-defined radio, and transform it into an integrated unit supporting SSCS, 802.11n and PAN. The end result of the Phase I will be a system-level design for the CWECS that meets all SWaP, radiation and waveform requirements.