Payload interposer (PIP) system and control software
AssigneeTriad National Security, LLC
InventorsMichael Proicou, Adam Warniment, Paul Stein, Nicholas Dallmann, Daniel Seitz, Logan Ott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A payload interposer (PIP) system and its control software provide an interface between a space vehicle and a payload. The PIP board facilitates power and communications between a command and data handler (CDH) of the space vehicle and the payload. A microcontroller of the PIP board may control operation of the payload, format messages between the space vehicle and the payload, and extract data from the payload for downlink via the space vehicle.
Claims18
A payload interposer (PIP) system, comprising:
- a space vehicle comprising a command and data handler (CDH);
- a payload;
- and
- a payload interposer (PIP) board comprising a microcontroller, the PIP board facilitating power and communications between the space vehicle and the payload, wherein control software for the microcontroller is configured to:
- control operation of the payload,
- format messages between the space vehicle and the payload, and
- extract data from the payload for downlink via the space vehicle, wherein
- the microcontroller of the PIP board is a full participant in a network of the space vehicle and implements functionality common to all boards of the space vehicle network via a library defined in a software development kit (SDK) for payload developers.
A payload interposer (PIP) board, comprising:
- memory storing computer program instructions;
- and
- a microcontroller configured to execute the computer program instructions, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the microcontroller to:
- control operation of a payload,
- format messages between a space vehicle and the payload, and
- extract data from the payload for downlink via the space vehicle,
- perform command sequencing to send commands to, and receive responses from, the payload,
- send commands in serial by sending a next command after a response to a previous command is received, and
- stop operation of a command-response list when an expected response to a command is not received.
A space vehicle, comprising:
- a command and data handler (CDH) configured to:
- cause a payload interposer (PIP) board to switch between maintenance and operational modes, enable/disable power to a payload, enable/disable sequencing of payload commands, and provide commands for managing payload data files,
- schedule activities of the payload based on a current space vehicle position and/or ground positions of interest that are loaded into a CDH configuration file, and
- instruct the PIP board to power on and initialize the payload when the space vehicle reaches a predetermined position, the space vehicle is approaching a target pass, or both, wherein
- the CDH configuration file comprises data for each target for latitude, longitude, minimum elevation, whether to operate the payload, lead time, and pointing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.