Interface
In a generic sense, an interface is a boundary between two different systems or sub-systems.
The most commonly defined interfaces for space systems are
- Mechanical Interface
- How the sub-system is mounted onto another system or subsystem;
- Thermal Interface
- How much heat the sub-system conducts via contact surfaces, or radiates, to other subsystems;
- Electrical Interface
- How the sub-system is connected electrically to other sub-systems (connectors, voltages, currents, ...);
- Software Interface
- How the sub-system communicates with other sub-ssytems (protocols, message layouts, meaning of messages)
This list is not exhaustive, and other interfaces may be defined as needed (TM/TC interface, RF interface, ...)
The interfaces are usually defined in a Interface Requirements Document (IRD), and described in an Interface Control Document (ICD).