Sensor networks based on Impulse-Radio Ultra Wideband (IR-UWB) technology have gained traction in fields where precise localization and robust communication links are required. In spacecraft and launchers these networks can be used to connect sensors to a central on board computer or to provide a communication link between the different subsystems. This contributes to a reduced cable harness, a key driver in overall spacecraft mass and design complexity. A problem in low power wireless sensor networks is the low data throughput. This paper presents a high data throughput extension to an 802.15.4 standard compliant MAC layer for Ultra Wideband to accommodate for e.g. payload data acquisition or software update distribution to the different subsystems. Where the previous protocol allowed for a mere 3 kB/s of throughput in a typical configuration, the augmented MAC layer now is able to achieve up to 341 kB/s.
Sensor networks based on Impulse-Radio Ultra Wideband (IR-UWB) technology have gained traction in fields where precise localization and robust communication links are required. In spacecraft and launchers these networks can be used to connect sensors to a central on board computer or to provide a communication link between the different subsystems. This contributes to a reduced cable harness, a key driver in overall spacecraft mass and design complexity. This paper presents an application for a launcher mounted multi-camera system based on low power IR-UWB sensor nodes. In combination with a modified highthroughput MAC layer from the IEEE 802.15.4 standard it is able to provide an update rate of multiple frames per second, where traditional sensor network systems would need half a minute to deliver a single frame. In addition, it is not interfering with critical telecommand/telemetry radio links of the launch vehicle due to the nature of the wideband transmission.
In this paper, the characterization of an impulse radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) radio frequency transceiver in a radiation environment is presented. IR-UWB is a well-known terrestrial technology for wireless communication and localization with interesting features also for space applications. The currently available hardware is Commercial-of-the-Shelf and it is essential to analyze the performance under radiation conditions to utilize the transceiver in reliable space applications, specifically intra-spacecraft communication. The device under test is exposed to γ-rays to evaluate total ionizing dose effects. Another test campaign is performed to analyze the single event effects induced by protons. The test procedure and results are presented and show that the transceiver withstands typical low earth orbit radiation conditions without significant degradation or malfunction.
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