Space PoE Manager

The Space Power over Ethernet (PoE) Manager provides Space-System Integrators the ability to harness PoE Electrical Infrastructure for the purpose of Space-System Communications and Power Transfer that are conducting Dynamic Space Operations.

Concept of operation

Figure A – Two Space-Systems Docking In-Orbit

Figure B shows the point of contact and physical interfaces connecting between the two Space Systems A and B.

Figure B – Two Space Systems Docked In-Orbit

At the point of contact, the Space PoE Manager in Space System A would manage and control the communications initialisation and power transfer to Space System B under the principles of operation below.

  1. Determine Minimum Viable Power Transfer
  2. Initialise Communications Link (Ethernet)
  3. Negotiate Power Requirement and Transfer
  4. Deliver Power and Monitor
  5. Continuously manage Power transfer dependent on mission requirements/phase

Technical overview

The Space PoE Manager is Deployed as software in an embedded System (On-Board Computer). It is designed so that User Application Software can interact with the Space PoE Manager to command the PoE Controller as required. The Space PoE Manager is provided with an API to provide access to the application for features such as Enabling/Disabling Power Manually or optimising power delivery outside of pre-configured settings.

The typical Architecture when deployed to an embedded System is as shown in Figure C.

Figure C – Example Layered Implementation of Space PoE Manager