Beyond Wired Backplanes: A Framework for Modular and Reconfigurable Wireless Intra-Satellite Communication

Goal: This research addresses the inherent limitations of traditional wired backplane architectures in small satellites, which restrict subsystem density, complicate assembly, and prevent post-deployment reconfiguration. The objective is to validate a wireless bus architecture as a viable, flight-ready replacement for rigid wired interconnects, fundamentally changing the systems engineering workflow for SmallSat missions.

Methodologies: The study presents a comprehensive wireless interface architecture designed to mitigate the engineering challenges of communication within the reflective, metallic confines of a satellite structure. Key methodologies include the optimization of connection intervals for power efficiency, antenna placement strategies to manage near-field effects, and the implementation of error detection and correction protocols. The system was validated to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 through thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing in partnership with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, ensuring performance across extreme orbital temperature ranges.

Expected Outcomes: Implementation of this wireless bus demonstrates a dramatic improvement in integration flexibility, reducing vertical subsystem spacing and decreasing assembly time. Technical results confirm that the wireless architecture maintains the necessary throughput and latency for command and data handling (C&DH) while consuming less than 1.5% of the total satellite power budget. Crucially, the system enables the dynamic reconfiguration of communication relationships between subsystems after orbital deployment, providing a layer of mission resilience impossible with wired systems.

Applicability: This advancement is particularly applicable to modular satellite constellations and rapid-response missions. By simplifying the integration process and enabling “plug-and-play” subsystem updates, this architecture provides a scalable pathway for mission evolution in both academic and commercial SmallSat sectors.