Feasibility of Powerline Communications (PLC) on Future Spacecraft--EMI/EMC Test Results on COTS PLC Technology

摘要

Cable harnessing mass continues to be a problem for spacecraft development, particularly with increasingly complex payloads and constraints to their mass and costs. As a strategic initiative to reduce cable harnessing on flight missions, NASA JPL's Powerline Communications (PLC) research and technology development (R&TD) effort investigates the ability to combine power and data onto the same cable conductors. Research and development of PLC technology, including testing of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) modules and design of custom PLC unit, aim to articulate the opportunity to infuse this technology into NASA flight projects. This paper illustrates the feasibility of Powerline Communications on future spacecraft through Electromagnetic Interference/Compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing on COTS PLC components including conducted emissions and susceptibility as well as radiated emissions and susceptibility.