Network architecture and protocol for spacecraft systems
First Claim
1. A spacecraft network comprising a plurality of function components, wherein each component of the plurality of function components is configured to communicate a request for service to the network, and each other component of the plurality of function components is configured to provide a response to the request, if the other component is able to provide some or all of the service.
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Abstract
A network architecture and protocol provides “plug and play” spacecraft capabilities. A distributed-control architecture is used, wherein each component operates semi-autonomously, and interacts with other components on a task/resource level. Each component announces its requirement for system resources as a request to the network, and components that can provide some or all of the requested resources respond to the request. An arbitration device centralizes and coordinates requests for critical and/or singular resources, such as requests for a specific orientation of the spacecraft. To facilitate such distributed control, requests are made in advance of the requirement for the resource, and include a time interval during which the resource is required. A configuration and test system is provided to process the mission requirements and provide a set of components that can be configured to satisfy the requirements.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A spacecraft network comprising
a plurality of function components, wherein each component of the plurality of function components is configured to communicate a request for service to the network, and each other component of the plurality of function components is configured to provide a response to the request, if the other component is able to provide some or all of the service.
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16. A method of operating a spacecraft, comprising:
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generating requests for services from a plurality of components of the spacecraft to a network, generating responses to the requests for services from each of the components that are able to provide some or all of the services, selecting components that are able to provide the services, and providing the services from the selected components that are able to provide the services to the components that requested the services. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of configuring a spacecraft, comprising:
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identifying tasks required to achieve a mission of the spacecraft, selecting a first set of function components that are configured to perform the tasks, determining service requirements of each of the first set of function components, determining which service requirements cannot be provided by the first set of function components, and selecting a second set of function components that are configured to provide the service requirements that cannot be provided by the first set of function components, if any;
wherein each component of the first and second set of function components is configured to communicate requests for services to the other components of the first and second set, and to respond to requests for services from the other components if the component can provide the service. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification