Architecture for high temperature radio frequency smart node

A communication system for an aircraft, comprising:

• a waveguide;
• a node in communication with the waveguide and located in a high temperature environment, the node including:
• a high temperature logic circuit;
• a power supply, wherein the high temperature logic circuit and the power supply are disposed on a first side of the node in the high temperature environment;
• a transponder disposed on a second side of the node;
• and
• a serial link between the high temperature logic circuit and the transponder.

A method of operating an aircraft, comprising:

• disposing a node of a radio frequency communication system in a high temperature environment of an aircraft engine and in communication with a waveguide of the communication system, the node comprising:
• a high temperature logic circuit;
• a power supply, wherein the high temperature logic circuit and the power supply are disposed on a first side of the node in the high temperature environment;
• a transponder disposed on a second side of the node;
• operating one of a sensor and an actuator via communication with the node via the waveguide;
• and
• communicating between the high temperature logic circuit and the transponder via a serial link.