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Capturing the Beauty of the Universe


The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest and most complex science and engineering project in history. The ISS has adopted industrial networking technology in its External Wireless Communication (EWC) system to transmit high-quality images and videos captured in outer space back to Earth.

The EWC system marks a major use of commercial off-the-shelf electronics (COTS). COTS wireless technology typically cannot withstand the harsh environments in outer space, so the ISS had to test technology from several vendors before finding the right fit.

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Summary

 

Challenges

  • Needed to be qualified for External High Definition Camera  (EHDC)
  • Rapidly cycling temperatures from -100 to 100°C
  • Intense radiation 

Solutions

  • AWK-4131, 2x2 MIMO 802.11 a/b/g/n AP/bridge/client
  • Rugged industrial design with integrated antenna and power isolation
  • IP68-rated weatherproof housing designed to withstand -40 to 75°C operating temperatures
  • 5 GHz DFS channel support

 

Results

  • Transmits data reliably in extremely harsh conditions without electrical failures
  • Fast data transmission speeds