Innovative Data/Electrical Interfaces for Modular Spacecraft

Spacecraft systems generally contain an array of sensors connected to a central controller via a myriad of electrical interfaces. An interface control document that contains a detailed description of each of the electrical interfaces is required to specify the interconnection of the various subsystem components. Satisfying all the electrical requirements imposed by this document is time consuming, and adds a significant cost to the overall integration effort. In many final spacecraft designs, the engineering effort expended to interconnect many different sensors each having unique electrical interfaces involves as much time as does the design of the actual sensor electronics. Data Design is proposing to investigate an alternative method of interconnecting spacecraft subsystem components or sensors using one of the standard protocol interfaces employed with connectivity of personal computers to peripheral devices. The approach will work both with new sensor designs as well as with legacy ones.