Using a Distributed Wiring Harness

This paper will describe a Distributed Wiring Harness (DWH) philosophy that will allow subcontractors to perform “pre-integration” testing of the electrical and data interfaces of their components (with the actual spacecraft) while the components are still on the manufactures’ benches. Through the use of a Universal Power and Data Controller (UPDC) and ICD Tracking Tool, each subsystem that is not being developed next to the main spacecraft bus (e.g. at a different subcontractor’s facility) can be “pre-integrated” and tested remotely. Full I2C, USB, serial and TCP/IP data connections (and later, SpaceWire) can be supported between the subsystem manufacture’s facility and the spacecraft bus location. Power draw valuess from the remotely located component will also be “transferred” to the flight computer on the spacecraft bus. Early integration and testing of the data and electrical interfaces on any mission will reduce errors between subcontractors, enable simulations even during the prototyping phase, and allow for more timely decision making when evaluating subsystem readiness.