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Payload control system and payload controller for outer space vehicle payloads

  • US 6,175,783 B1
  • Filed: 03/02/1998
  • Issued: 01/16/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A payload control system including a payload controller for a payload on board an outer space vehicle having a host computer system, the payload including sensors which generate output signals indicative of payload operating conditions, and control devices which receive input signals to control the payload when the payload is in outer space, the payload controller including a circuit board, and the payload control system further comprising:

  • a unitary compact control unit mounted on the circuit board, the control unit including a processor, memory, display device control logic, input device control logic, disk drive control logic, and data input/output control logic;

    a display device interface on the circuit board and connected to the display device control logic;

    an input device interface on the circuit board and connected to the input device control logic;

    a disk drive interface on the circuit board and connected to the disk drive control logic;

    a host system interface on the circuit board and connected to the data input/output control logic for communicating with the host computer system;

    a plurality of output drivers on the circuit board and connected to the data input/output control logic for sending the input signals to the payload control devices;

    a plurality of input drivers on the circuit board and connected to the data input/output control logic for receiving the output signals from the payload sensors;

    a payload interface on the circuit board and connected to the data input/output control logic for communicating with the payload;

    a display device for connecting to the display device interface when the payload controller is on Earth;

    an input device for connecting to the input device interface when the payload controller is on Earth;

    a disk drive for connecting to the disk drive interface when the payload controller is on Earth; and

    a computer readable storage medium mounted on the circuit board for storing information representing instructions executable by the processor to communicate with the host computer system, the payload control devices, the payload sensors, and the payload, so as to control the payload when the payload is in outer space, wherein the information stored in the computer readable storage medium is non-permanent so that the payload controller may be re-used for different payload experiments, and wherein the unitary compact control unit includes sufficient components to function as a stand alone computer capable of running an operating system while supporting the display device, the input device, and the disk drive, such that the computer readable storage medium may be programmed on Earth for subsequent use of the payload controller in space.

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