A Configurable Solid State Power Management and Distribution System 2002-01-3210

Future vehicle power systems must achieve greater flexibility and reliability than those used in previous generations. New functions that enhance safety, such as arc detection and wiring integrity verification, are essential for new systems. Embedded autonomous control, and fault correction can be built into Fault Tolerant Processors that integrate into a vehicle Open System Architecture. This approach will provide status and fault detection information to maintenance interfaces and provide fault correction. Safety is enhanced by the prevention of dangerous restarts from crew and personnel. The embedded features allow for pre-flight mission configuration to setup systems before takeoff and on-board and off-board maintenance control. This enables operators to evaluate power system health and history to help reduce turn around time. A solid-state switch that integrates these essential capabilities demanded by the industry for future power systems and fault correction and health status power system is presented.