E-Bus: A Universal Standardized Architecture for Space Vehicle Payloads and Sub-Systems

Rogue proposes a new architectural paradigm for space assets to be inserted in theater in a tactically responsive tempo, in volumes sufficient for resilient operations, and with an ability to be replenished to sustain continuous dynamic operations.  Rogue calls this new extensible architecture the “E-Bus™”. Rogue’s E-Bus technology draws inspiration from MIL-STD-1760 (Aircraft/Store Electrical Interconnection System), the Universal Armament Interface (UAI), and other standards that have allowed various industries to rapidly increase the development, deployment, and interoperability of their assets. The E-Bus will serve as a standard universal interface for equipping assets in space for a variety of operational needs.  Its implementation provides a common interface for power management, data-handling, and thermal management between bus, sub-systems, and payloads on a spacecraft. The E-Bus not only supports legacy data interface types that allow existing systems to be integrated into this architecture, but also offers standard high-speed data connections for nascent ISAM- and RPOD-focused technologies that require much higher levels of throughput than those supported by traditional low-speed serial interfaces. The E-Bus module that facilitates connections between bus, sub-systems, and payloads is dynamically reconfigurable to support the power, thermal, and data needs of the devices it connects. This enables exceptional versatility in the system, providing the availability of redundant pathways for resiliency, and the ability to link multiple units together for expandability. This level of functionality results in rapid integration and reduction in NRE that improves development timelines for new technologies. It also allows reconfiguration on-orbit, providing the spacecraft options to circumvent damaged areas, adapt to dynamic scenarios, and better support future capabilities involving docking, assembly of satellites, and swapping out of payloads and sub-systems for different mission sets or upgrades.  The E-Bus enables recent Defense Department imperatives related to tactically responsive and dynamic space operations.  For example, it makes joint-force sustainment logistics more feasible by bringing a universal interface in theatre. Also, there has been recent emphasis placed on the development of “test beds” by the DoD and NASA to help move forward the development of U.S.-based space-technology. By facilitating rapid integration, the E-Bus can serve as an enabler for the U.S. to innovate at a rate that would overtake our rivals.