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

• Current Assignee: Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation (The Boeing Co.)
• Original Assignee: Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation (The Boeing Co.)
• Inventors: Buser, Richard R., Strength, Vernon Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US09/033,216
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 701/13, 701/3, 701/4, 701/14, 701/120, 701/121, 706/59, 706/45, 706/11, 702/108, 702/174, 244/158.R, 244/159, 244/164, 177/139, 177/141, 177/25.14
• US Class Current: 701/13
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/12 manned
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/14 Space shuttles reusable launch rockets B64G1/006
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/36 using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/641 Interstage or payload connectors docking systems B64G1/646

Abstract

A payload control system and payload controller for a payload onboard an outer space vehicle having a host computer system are provided. The payload controller includes a unitary compact control unit mounted on a circuit board. The control unit includes a processor, memory, display device control logic, input device control logic, and data input/output control logic. A plurality of interfaces located about the board surfaces provide communication with payload and host system components. A computer readable storage medium mounted on the circuit board stores information to control the payload when the payload is in outer space. 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. The unitary compact control unit includes sufficient components to function as a stand alone computer capable of running an operating system while supporting a display device and an input device. The computer readable storage medium may be programmed on Earth for subsequent use of the payload controller in space.

Claims

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.

2. The payload control system of claim 1 wherein the host system interface further comprises:

local area network driver circuitry substantially formed as a single integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board.

3. A payload controller for use in 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 comprising:

a circuit board;

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, and data input/output control logic;

a display device interface connected to the display device control logic;

an input device interface connected to the input device control logic;

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

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

a plurality of input drivers 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, the payload interface including a serial interface; 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 a display device attached to the display device interface and an input device attached to the input device interface, such that the computer readable storage medium may be programmed on Earth for subsequent use of the payload controller in space.

4. The payload controller of claim 3 wherein the host system interface further comprises:

local area network driver circuitry substantially formed as a single integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board.

5. The payload controller of claim 3 wherein the data input/output control logic includes hard disk drive control logic, and wherein the payload controller further comprises:

a hard disk drive interface connected to the hard disk drive control logic.

6. The payload controller of claim 3 wherein the data input/output control logic includes floppy disk drive control logic, and wherein the payload controller further comprises:

a floppy disk drive interface connected to the floppy disk drive control logic.

7. A payload controller for use in 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 comprising:

a circuit board;

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

a display device interface connected to the display device control logic;

a keyboard interface connected to the keyboard control logic;

a mouse interface connected to the mouse control logic;

a floppy disk drive interface connected to the floppy disk drive control logic;

a hard disk drive interface connected to the hard disk drive control logic;

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

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

a plurality of input drivers 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; 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 a display device, a keyboard, a mouse, a floppy disk drive, and a hard disk drive attached to the respective interfaces such that the computer readable storage medium may be programmed on Earth for subsequent use of the payload controller in space.

8. A payload controller for use in 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 comprising:

a circuit board;

a unitary compact control unit mounted on the circuit board, the control unit including a processor including a motherboard chip set substantially formed as a single integrated circuit, the control unit further including memory, display device control logic, keyboard control logic, mouse control logic, data input/output control logic, floppy disk drive control logic, and hard disk drive control logic;

spacer washers positioned between the unitary compact control unit and the circuit board such that other components may be located between the control unit and the circuit board;

a display device interface connected to the display device control logic;

a keyboard interface connected to the keyboard control logic;

a mouse interface connected to the mouse control logic;

a floppy disk drive interface connected to the floppy disk drive control logic;

a hard disk drive interface connected to the hard disk drive control logic;

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

an expansion interface connected to the data input/output control logic for connecting the payload controller to an expansion slot on a different payload controller;

local area network driver circuitry substantially formed as a single integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board;

a plurality of digital input/output drivers connected to the data input/output control logic for sending the input signals to the payload control devices, and for receiving the output signals from the payload sensors;

a plurality analog to digital convertor inputs connected to the data input/output control logic for receiving the output signals from the payload sensors;

a plurality of digital to analog convertor outputs connected to the data input/output control logic for sending the input signals to the payload control devices;

a payload interface connected to the data input/output control logic for communicating with the payload; 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 a display device, a keyboard, a mouse, a floppy disk drive, and a hard disk drive attached to the respective interfaces such that the computer readable storage medium may be programmed on Earth for subsequent use of the payload controller in space.