Functional models for space power electronic circuits

Presented here is a new approach to model power electronic components so that system level issues of large space power systems can be studied. To demonstrate this approach, the models for two major power electronic components in the space station power system are described. The new models are useful not only in system level studies but also in the design/analysis of particular components     

A Survey of Electronic Attitude Measurement Systems

Introducing rectangular coordinates for the reference coordinate system and the space-vehicle fixed-coordinate system, it will be shown that the transformation matrixes between both coordinate systems which describe the attitude of the space vehicle can be easily computed as functions of the rectangular coordinates of two precise directions known in both coordinate systems. In detail, an electronic attitude measurement will be described based on two precise propagation directions of RF waves. In order to measure the propagation direction in the space-vehicle fixed-coordinate system, a very general interferometer is described. This interferometer is characterized by the fact that the antennas of the interferometer are arbitrarily distributed on the surface of the space vehicle and that the electronic computation of the coordinates of the propagation direction of an RF wave is extremely simple. The design and some modifications of this system are discussed     

Space dust high-velocity particle influence on electronic equipment

Determination of failure causes of the control systems and navigation electronic elements of space flying vehicles (SFV), observed in the process of long-time flights, is of current importance. Failures of the control systems in the process of long-time flights considerably reduce their reliability and, consequently, raise expenses in this field. In particular, this requires an additional backup of satellites-retransmitters, which results in an increase of the number of SFV launches. At present, experts are actively elaborating the hypothesis that one of the most probable causes of the SFV electronic system failures are the flows of the space dust particles, moving in the near-Earth and interplanetary space, and possessing velocities from 7.8 km/sec to 16 km/sec. The flows of the high energy (Galactic) ions, for a number of cases, are considered to be the basic cause of the destruction of electronic control systems. This, in particular, makes it possible to explain the failures in flights to Mars of the autonomous space modules performed by the European and American space agencies. The optimum flight route to Mars passes through agglomerations of dust clouds, which necessitates a high probability of collision for the flying vehicles with dust clots. Therefore, the success of the American research module is quite logical, which was done with the highest deviation from the optimum route.     

小卫星/小运载可重构多核计算机设计

通过共用小卫星与小运载的电子系统,能够降低卫星发射成本、实现卫星与运载的快速集成及测试、减少卫星的发射与入轨时间,从而达到快速响应自然灾害等突发事件的目的。传统航天器电子系统难以兼顾运载段任务的高实时性和在轨段任务的高可靠性要求,因此本文将多核处理器技术、可重构技术和航天器电子系统设计相结合,提出了基于可重构技术的小卫星/小运载多核计算机设计方案。该设计方案分为运载和在轨两种工作模式,通过现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)的快速重构来实现计算机两种工作模式的快速切换。其中运载模式将FPGA配置成并行构架的三核处理器,通过3个处理器并行计算来提升计算机的处理能力;在轨模式将FPGA配置成冗余构架的三核处理器,通过3个处理器互为冗余备份来提升计算机的长期可靠性。经过基于Markov过程理论的系统可靠性分析,表明系统在轨段的长期可靠性得到显著提升。同时经过地面半物理仿真系统仿真测试,运载段的控制周期可以达到10ms,满足运载段任务的实时性要求。     

Improving the productivity of complex electronic systems design byutilizing applied design methodologies

The design process of complex electronic systems consists of four traditional main stages, which are system design, electronic design, mechanical design, and design for manufacturing. Even today when many integrated computer aided design environments are in use for electronic systems design, we still seem to accept that the design process really has to follow this path of four individual design stages. It is common that we are dealing with data transfer problems between different types of CAE-applications. However, there is a possibility to avoid the disadvantages due to integration problems between the design stages if we decide to develop the design methodology itself instead of developing those independent software applications. One effective way to improve the productivity of complex electronic systems design is to tune the so-called systematic design approach by adding special aspects of electronic systems design into the questionnaires used for collecting the requirement lists for further mechanical design and DFM. Another important tool is the carefully made manufacturability analysis. The deep interaction of mechanical and electronic design, extended by manufacturability analysis can also lead to innovative solutions as presented previously by the author. In the article entitled “Manufacturability Analysis-A Useful Subset of Systems Engineering” we were able to show that the number of iteration cycles during the different design and manufacturing stages could be reduced by 50% compared to the conventional design methodology. In this paper, we illustrate additional tools to continue this promising development work     

Improvements in Advanced Electronic Navigation Systems

Advanced electronic navigation systems will be required for future merchant ship operations involving minimum crew manning. These systems will rely on some form of electronic chart, which will require continual and timely updating with the latest correction information. This paper describes a newly developed chart correction computer system capable of automatically updating electronic charts via satellite data transfers. The system can provide a direct computer data link between a shipboard computer and the Defense Mapping Agency's Automated Notice to Mariners System.     

分区间通信在航空电子系统中的设计与实现

新一代航空电子系统是一种高度综合化、模块化的系统,为了确保系统工作的安全、可靠,必须有高安全性的实时操作系统支持。在高安全性的实时操作系统中提出了分区(Partition)的概念,原有的“子系统”概念已由硬件实体演变为软的“子系统”。分区是运行于一个处理机模块上的多个应用程序(或子系统),这些应用程序在时间和空间上彼此隔离,互不影响,当一个分区内的应用发生错误时,在时间和空间上都不会影响到别的分区的执行。为了适应分区间隔离的需要,应用程序之间的通信由传统的进程间通信方式变为分区间的通信方式,本文着重介绍了自主版权操作系统(ACoreOS653)中满足ARINC653要求的分区间通信的设计与实现方法。     

战斗机电子战系统架构总体设计

战斗机电子战系统提供的态势感知、无源攻击引导、电子对抗和主动隐身等作战能力可以极大提升飞机的生存力和杀伤力。为满足电子战系统越来越高的新质作战能力要求、作战对象快速能力提升、贴近实战的作战样式和作战环境不断变化带来的新要求、适应不同战斗机平台及航电任务系统要求等需求,追求高质量和敏捷开发模式,电子战系统架构必须精心设计。采用系统工程方法,按照能力视图、作战视图、系统视图和技术视图对需求和技术进行了迭代研究,基于灵活数字处理算法支持不同战法、全域综合共用、以快应变和以柔制变等顶层设计思想,从全数字化处理、综合化、可扩展和开放式等多个视角论证了电子战系统架构设计需求,并给出了核心设计要点和方案。战斗机电子战系统架构在大量实践中得到验证,效果良好,能够满足作战使用需求,对下一代战斗机电子系统的研究具有借鉴意义。     

航空发动机电子控制器可测试性技术应用研究

基于边界扫描的测试思想,提出了1种航空发动机电子控制器可测试性设计方案。通过器件管脚的边界扫描单元,在板级甚至多个目标板组成的复杂系统间,构建了1条在集成电路边界绕行的移位寄存器链,可以实现复杂集成电路的嵌入式测试。该方案还可以实现故障注入,对航空发动机电子控制器机内自测试(B IT)能力进行验证。     

Space Weather and the Ground-Level Solar Proton Events of the 23rd Solar Cycle

Solar proton events can adversely affect space and ground-based systems. Ground-level events are a subset of solar proton events that have a harder spectrum than average solar proton events and are detectable on Earth’s surface by cosmic radiation ionization chambers, muon detectors, and neutron monitors. This paper summarizes the space weather effects associated with ground-level solar proton events during the 23rd solar cycle. These effects include communication and navigation systems, spacecraft electronics and operations, space power systems, manned space missions, and commercial aircraft operations. The major effect of ground-level events that affect manned spacecraft operations is increased radiation exposure. The primary effect on commercial aircraft operations is the loss of high frequency communication and, at extreme polar latitudes, an increase in the radiation exposure above that experienced from the background galactic cosmic radiation. Calculations of the maximum potential aircraft polar route exposure for each ground-level event of the 23rd solar cycle are presented. The space weather effects in October and November 2003 are highlighted together with on-going efforts to utilize cosmic ray neutron monitors to predict high energy solar proton events, thus providing an alert so that system operators can possibly make adjustments to vulnerable spacecraft operations and polar aircraft routes.     

A methodology for addressing support equipment obsolescence

The rapid growth of technology over the last twenty years is providing vastly improved capabilities for both avionics and avionics test systems. Unfortunately, an environment of rapid technological growth breeds a corresponding environment of rapid technological obsolescence. Test systems developed fifteen years ago are becoming increasingly more difficult to support due to obsolescence issues and, additionally, such a test system does not reflect the current state-of-the-art for automatic test equipment. The ability of a test system to evolve is essential to providing cost-effective support systems for electronic systems. The F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS) Intermediate Support System (TISS) was developed under the Modular Automatic Test Equipment (MATE) guidelines to support the suite of F-15 electronic warfare LRUs. MATE imposed hardware architecture constraints, which were factors that contributed to its abandonment. However, the modular aspect of MATE has provided a system that can easily evolve with technological advancements. Modularity is the cornerstone of modern software systems and this is the aspect that has been exploited in the evolution of the TISS     

Manufacturability analysis a useful subset of systems engineering

The application of manufacturability analysis to the design of mechanical parts in electronic systems improves quality, performance and reliability. Typical interest areas include equipment enclosures, transducers and high-tech microwave modules. New performance levels are feasible due to improved surface quality, stability, reduction of seam widths or the use of sophisticated materials. The stepwise procedure points out attractive solutions for challenging airborne, maritime or space sensor platform environments. A thorough understanding of manufacturability judgement and knowledge about current milling, welding and coating processes is essential as well as the earliest application of the formulated principle     

Navigation and landing [A century of powered flight 1903-2003]

Navigation and landing for the first half century of aviation fundamentally relied on radio-based electronic aids. The military began serious investigation of radio navigation during World War I. Up until WW II map reading, dead reckoning, and various means of radio direction finding were the primary methods of determining aircraft position. Since WWII a number of other navigation techniques, such as Doppler radar, radio inertial, pure inertial, aided inertial, and today's integrated GPS inertial, have been developed. Most of the inertial systems evolved from the military ICBM and subsequent space programs.     

热管散热模组在机载电子设备热设计中的应用

针对机载电子设备的高热流密度和关键器件的高功耗,采用相变传热的微热管散热技术,在保持原受限空间和模块安装方式的前提下,研制出不同结构形式的热管散热模组。其结果证明,在满足机载使用要求和工作条件下,热管散热模组能有效解决高功耗器件的散热问题,实现电子模块的控温和均温,突破了机载电子设备结构热设计的瓶颈。本文结合实例从微热管结构对传热性能的影响研究、热管散热模组研制、数值模拟等方面介绍热管散热模组在机载电子设备热设计中的应用,为微热管散热技术在机载电子产品领域的工程应用提供了重要的参考价值。     

A hazard analysis via an improved timed colored petri net with time–space coupling safety constraint

Petri nets are graphical and mathematical tools that are applicable to many systems for modeling, simulation, and analysis. With the emergence of the concept of partitioning in time and space domains proposed in avionics application standard software interface(ARINC 653), it has become difficult to analyze time–space coupling hazards resulting from resource partitioning using classical or advanced Petri nets. In this paper, we propose a time–space coupling safety constraint and an improved timed colored Petri net with imposed time–space coupling safety constraints(TCCP-NET) to fill this requirement gap. Time–space coupling hazard analysis is conducted in three steps: specification modeling, simulation execution, and results analysis. A TCCP-NET is employed to model and analyze integrated modular avionics(IMA), a real-time, safety-critical system. The analysis results are used to verify whether there exist time–space coupling hazards at runtime. The method we propose demonstrates superior modeling of safety-critical real-time systems as it can specify resource allocations in both time and space domains. TCCP-NETs can effectively detect underlying time–space coupling hazards.     

下一代数据中继卫星系统发展思考

通过系统阐述中继卫星系统的发展过程,给出了主要国家和组织的中继卫星系统技术体制和现状.再结合卫星、载人航天器和深空探索的未来发展趋势,分析了下一代中继卫星系统的发展需求.在此基础上,从体系结构、卫星平台、链路调制体制、网络协议等方面,探讨并给出了下一代中继卫星系统的发展趋势和技术途径.为满足未来近地、深空航天任务,以及临近、低空快速移动用户的不同要求,节约系统成本,下一代中继卫星系统将向专业化和与其他系统融合的方向发展:星间链路将增加激光链路,数据速率可达到10 Gbit/s以上;多址业务成为主用,同时支持用户数能力将极大提高;对于链路调制体制,在采用CR(Cognitive Radio,认知无线电)和SDR(Software Defined Radio,软件定义无线电)技术的基础上,可实现实时自适应调整和根据需求加载配置;数据传输将采用网络化方式,天地间构成一体化DTN(Delay Tolerant Network,容延迟网络).     

Computational intelligence and soft computing for spaceapplications

Systems using computational intelligence and soft computing have been successfully developed for many industrial and space applications. These systems seek to emulate the type of reasoning that humans perform when solving complex tasks. The field of soft computing, as defined by Zadeh-the inventor of fuzzy logic-encompasses fuzzy logic as well as other methodologies such as neural networks, genetic algorithms, and uncertainty management. It is expected that soft-computing techniques will eventually become as common and prevalent as traditional methods of computer science. This paper presents an overview of applications of fuzzy logic and soft computing to space projects. The role of fuzzy systems that can learn from experience to improve their performance is discussed. We present a report on applications of these adaptive systems to NASA space projects such as the orbital operations of the Space Shuttle, which include attitude control and rendezvous/docking operations. We also provide insights on the future of computational intelligence and soft computing and of their vast potential in industrial applications     

单站发射多站接收的空间目标激光测距技术

激光测距作为空间目标测定轨精度最高的技术,对非合作目标的测量精度比微波雷达、光电探测等技术高1～2个数量级,非常有利于非合作目标的精密定位、轨道复核及精确编目,保障在轨空间飞行器的安全。激光在非合作目标表面会发生漫反射,返回光斑弥散、回波微弱,采用大口径望远镜接收系统是必要的。鉴于大口径望远镜研制难度大,提出基于单站发射多站接收的空间目标激光测距新方法,即采用多接收望远镜增加接收面积,实现目标测量能力提升。通过分析单站发射多站接收的激光测距技术特点,基于双望远镜系统开展空间合作目标测量实验,验证了多望远镜接收激光信号的可行性,为该测距技术发展奠定了实验基础。     

侧向稳定系统参数平面设计法

首先介绍了鲁棒系统设计的参数平面法，然后采用该方法对某支线客机的侧向稳定系统进行了鲁棒设计，最生以几种不同的飞行状态为例，通过计算机仿真，对所设计的控制律参数进行了验证，结果表明：飞机侧向稳定系统的参数平面法设计是可行的。     

Low-voltage CMOS Folded-cascode Mixer

The folded-cascode structure is used to realize the low-voltage low-power consumption mixer, whose performance parameters have big influence on the navigation radio receiver's performance. Adopting the folded-cascode structure, the folded-cascode mixer (FCM) has a lower power supply voltage of 1.2 V and realizes the design trade-offs among the high transconductance, high linearity and low noise. The difficulties of realizing the trade-offs between the linearity and noise performance, the linearity and conversion gain, the conversion gain and noise performance are reduced. Fabricated in an radio frequency (RF) 0.18 μm CMOS process, the FCM has an active area of about 200 μm ×150 μm and consumes approximate 3.9 mW. The test results show that the FCM features a conversion gain (Gc) of some 14.5 dB, an input 1 dB compression point (Pin-1dB) of almost -13 dBm and a dual sideband (DSB) noise figure of around 12 dB. The FCM can be applied to the navigation radio receivers and electronic systems for aviation and aerospace or other related fields.