Back-plane connector for cubesat

Abstract

A back-plane connector connects component boards for a cubesat with a processing unit and a board connector electrically connected to the back-plane connector. The board connector mates with complimentary connectors on the component boards. The arrangement facilitates assembly, testing and operational reliability. An image capture system may be included and has an image capture device with a multiplexer for interactive collection and storage of image and video data.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An assembly of plural component boards sized and configured for confinement in a compact, small scale satellite, said assembly comprising:
 a backplane connector having a printed circuit board defining a plurality of parallel slots each configured to receive and fixably retain one of the component boards;   said assembly further comprising:
 a processor within said assembly, the processor configured to perform a diagnostic test on one or more of said component boards; and 
 a diagnostic signal associated with one or more component boards, said signal providing an indication of a result of the diagnostic test, wherein the diagnostic test (i) assists in assuring a proper arrangement of the assembly; or (ii) ascertains whether individual component boards are functioning normally. 
   
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of component boards include a first component board having a pair of first connectors, and the plurality of parallel slots include a first slot for receiving the first component board, the first slot being associated with a pair of second connectors disposed across the slot in a lengthwise direction of the slot, the second connectors coupled to the first connectors, the second connectors and the first connectors forming at least one of power communication and data communication between the printed circuit board and the first component board. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the component boards are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein each component board is approximately 97 mm square. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein each component board provides a surface area to support a component thereon, and the component includes an integrated chip. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein at least one component board includes a fiberglass material. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein each component board defines an aperture in a perimeter of the component board, and the apertures of the component boards are aligned to form a raceway that allows at least one cable to pass through. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the diagnostic signal is a visual indicator that includes pulsing light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the LEDs start and stop pulsing based on the result of the diagnostic test. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the LEDs vary pulsing frequencies based on the result of the diagnostic test. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the LEDs vary color based on the result of the diagnostic test. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the processor controls the diagnostic signal based on the result of the diagnostic test. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the backplane connector has a normal power mode that provides a constant power supply to the component boards, and a limited power mode that provides a reduced power supply to the component boards so as to turn off at least one function of the component boards. 
     
     
         30 . The assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the backplane connector in the limited power mode provides enough power for the processor to perform the diagnostic test on each component board. 
     
     
         31 . The assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the backplane connector in the limited power mode stops powering at least two component boards simultaneously. 
     
     
         32 . The assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the processor changes the backplane connector from the normal power mode to the limited power mode when the processor detects a power switch failure in the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         33 . A method for testing component boards in a compact, small scale satellite comprising:
 installing a plurality of component boards on a backplane connector by inserting each component board into a slot defined in a printed circuit board of the backplane connector, each slot configured to receive and fixably retain one of the component boards;   performing a diagnostic test, by a processor on the printed circuit board, on one or more of the component board; and   controlling, by the processor, a visual identifier associated with one or more component boards, said identifier providing a visual indication of a result of the diagnostic test, wherein the diagnostic test determines at least one of (i) whether each component board is in its proper location on the printed circuit board, and (ii) whether each component board functions normally.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of component boards include a first component board having a pair of first connectors, and the plurality of parallel slots include a first slot for receiving the first component board, the first slot being associated with a pair of second connectors disposed across the slot in a lengthwise direction of the slot, the second connectors coupled to the first connectors, the second connectors and the first connectors forming at least one of power communication and data communication between the printed circuit board and the first component board.