The Boeing Company

Hughes Aircraft Company

Alexander Mihich

David W Lloyd

William D Lemke

A spacecraft data acquisition system comprises a telemetry and command controller, a payload unit, and a bi-directional interface that couples the telemetry and command controller to the payload unit. The interface is a single bi-directional interface that is used to reduce the complexity of the spacecraft. The transmission of information over the interface has a predetermined protocol so that the telemetry and command controller and payload unit may effectively use the single interface.

Spacecraft data acquisition and distribution interface

An improved optical slip ring is disclosed in which optical fibers are arranged in a predetermined pattern to transfer light energy from a non-rotating body to a rotating body. The optical slip ring of the present invention provides a predictable correlation between position and optical coupling. The invention 15 includes a first support 22 for a first plurality of optical fibers 20 arranged in a predetermined pattern around a radial axis. The invention 15 includes a second support 26 for a second plurality of optical fibers 24 arranged in a predetermined pattern around the same radial axis. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second supports 22 and 26 are arranged so that the open ends of the first and second patterns of optical fibers are in face-to-face relation. Light energy transmitted through the open ends of the first plurality of optical fibers 20 is then received through the open ends of the second plurality of optical fibers 24 across a small gap. The arrangement of the first and second pluralities of optical fibers in a predetermined pattern provides an optimal alignment of the individual optical fibers of the first and second pluralities of optical fibers with respect to one another. This, in turn, facilitates a predictable correlation between the relative position of the first and second supports 22 and 26 and the optical coupling therebetween.

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Manhattan Beach, CA, United States of America

Alexander Mihich