Session
Technical Session I: Electronics and Power Subsystems
Abstract
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) Space Department has developed the JHU/APL Integrated Electronics Module (APL IEM) architecture for future satellites to minimize development costs while maximizing mission flexibility. The architecture supports both low earth orbit and deep space missions. Redundant and single string configurations are possible. Core spacecraft functions including communications, guidance, navigation, attitude, power control, health and safety, command, and data handling are implemented in the APL IEM. Extensive use is made of industry standards. Adhering to these standards at subsystem boundaries allows us to incrementally improve these designs without impacting the remainder of the system. Internal subsystems communicate over redundant, IEEE 1394, high speed, low power, serial buses. External interfaces include dedicated device specific links as well as those already in common satellite use. However, an unusual distributed approach to engineering housekeeping data acquisition based on the I2C industrial bus improves flexibility and increases design reusability.
A Fault Tolerant Integrated Electronics Module for Small Satellites
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) Space Department has developed the JHU/APL Integrated Electronics Module (APL IEM) architecture for future satellites to minimize development costs while maximizing mission flexibility. The architecture supports both low earth orbit and deep space missions. Redundant and single string configurations are possible. Core spacecraft functions including communications, guidance, navigation, attitude, power control, health and safety, command, and data handling are implemented in the APL IEM. Extensive use is made of industry standards. Adhering to these standards at subsystem boundaries allows us to incrementally improve these designs without impacting the remainder of the system. Internal subsystems communicate over redundant, IEEE 1394, high speed, low power, serial buses. External interfaces include dedicated device specific links as well as those already in common satellite use. However, an unusual distributed approach to engineering housekeeping data acquisition based on the I2C industrial bus improves flexibility and increases design reusability.
